Monday, October 12, 2015
Friday, June 22, 2012
Service to the Nation; NYSC, Farouk Lawan, Otedola et al
On Thursday 14th June, 2012, The Batch B Youth
corps members of about 80,000 youths nationally completed their National Youth Service
Corps program. The NYSC is a program initiated by the Federal Government in
1973 to foster the spirit of selfless service and unity in the Nigerian youths
and populace in diffusion. Over the years the program has been a reliable
partner of progress to the corporate and public sector of the Nigerian nation.
Many corporate and public entities have recognized the
significant roles played by the NYSC members in their development. The 2011
elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which was
widely commended globally recognized the patriotic character displayed by the
NYSC members as instrumental to her success.
Though rarely given due to obvious reasons, commendations
should be given to the Federal Government especially the present administration
for increasing the monthly allowance of the youth corps members from N9, 800 to
N19, 800 in the first quarter of 2011. The increase helped reduce the burdens
being borne by the youths and their parents/guardians in serving their dear
nation.
However, it was shocking when the same administration though
out of good intent announced that youths would only be posted to rural health,
education, infrastructure and agriculture sectors. This as thought by the
Federal Government will help in developing the rural communities of Nigeria.
As we all know that the development
of a nation is the sum total of the development of her citizens. How then the
Federal Government does expect a true development of these youth corps members when
they become idle due to lack of duties and tools. Its a common knowledge that
NYSC youths posted to most government agencies find themselves left with little
or nothing to do thus idling away and eroding their mental and physical energy
due to lack of stimulation.
This is at this global age when youths are the engineers of
national development through ventures in IT, E-commerce and various innovative
economic solutions. The irony is that after completing the NYSC program these
youths who have not been privileged to be exposed to basic use of IT and
intelligent applications required to add value to the economy find themselves
helpless.
The most valuable companies of this age contributing to the
global economy in terms of revenue generation and increasing national
productivity are IT powered. Rural health, education, infrastructure and
agriculture sectors which the government hopes to develop by the new posting
policy can’t be fully developed without full provision of IT resources and
tools to make these sectors perform effectively and efficiently.
There is the need to redistribute evenly the talents and
skills of these youths so that square pegs are not put in round holes. The merits
of the CBN newly introduced cashless policy to the economy has been established
however we are faced with a potential inherent in this policy to tackling
germane problems encountered in this country such as unemployment and
insecurity.
Kenya a nearby country has exploited this platform in
developing critical sectors of the economy and creating abundant job
opportunities. The Agricultural sector was developed by paying local farmers
through mobile money payment platform.
A mobile payment company in Kenya MPESA has created about
36,000 jobs with about 20 million subscribers, it brought about 200,000 new
accounts (mostly from informal sectors) for banks in 6 months with profits of
about 10 million shillings.
Youths are vey instrumental to this growth working as agents
and software creators. Even if Nigeria has not developed to possessing various
venture capitalists that support tech ideas and businesses like the United
States which has created this culture with success stories abounding of likes
of facebook, paypal, etc. The thriving tech culture of nearby Kenya where
different local applications have been developed to solve local problems shows
a possibility.
Featured in the first edition of Forbes Africa Magazine is
the story of a young techpreneur based in Nairobi, Kenya. Kariuki Gathitu
founded Zege Technologies with innovative products like the MPAYER, a software
that can be used as a core mobile payment solution also enabling companies
integrate mobile payments to their existing systems.
The present day Nigerian youth is oblivious of this and many
other existing opportunities as the national climate he sees views success as being
a politician or cronies and receiving part of the national cake without adding
any real value to the economy. The prevailing stories of corruption between the
public and private sector; SEC/National Assembly, Farouk Lawan/Otedola etc
daily affirms this.
The bribery allegations between two respected role models of
youths in the public and private sector, the highly admired and eloquent Hon
Farouk Lawan and business mogul Mr Femi Otedola presented an impression of a country where everything is
for sale including the report of the arms of the government.
As batch B Youth corps members of about 80,000 youths
nationally completed their National Youth Service Corps program on 14th
June and another set comes in July 5th, there are going to be
numerous parades and speeches given by State Governments and representatives in
the different states. The speeches will be centered on the youths living the
spirit of selfless service which the NYSC espouses. However, these teachings
will be competing with the loud and consistent messages screaming in the
society such as corruption where the former President of the nation described
the lawmakers as armed robbers.
For the passing out
youths who should feel a sense of relief and happiness for moving to the next
level, the greater percentage of them feel depressed as it seems to them like
an employee sacked from their jobs, when the future seems scary with little
hope of getting a job soon going by the experiences of their predecessors.
Oyeniyi Oluseye wrote in from Poised Corp magazine,
poisedcorpmag@gmail.com
Monday, May 2, 2011
The Fallen Heroes by Akpala B. Cosmos
Yells
the
shells of hate
and our heroes come falling down
like
mangoes on these cold land,
not
far,far away
but
their
own fatherland.
Sojourners
you
were, on a journey
of
service and unification,but today you
lie still in bliss,
cold,
in
a mortuary,while
our
deafening tears
sings
you
an elegy.
Our
heroes have become cadavers,
sacrificed on the shrine
of
political ruins,
as
we
watch our future
go down the drain butchered
on
the pedestal of rage and hate.
Ha!
In this season of your
bloom,
when we aspire to dance
to
the
melodious tune
fuming
from your flute,but
like
the ferocity
of
a
hawk on its prey,
hate,
took you away,
leaving
our eyes grey & grave
for
our
heroes are
fallen!
fallen!! fallen!!!
Fallen!!!!
to
rise
no more.
Though,
rage
took you away,your
"heroic feats"
like
a
portrait will remain for ages,
but
not
in museums or
vain
monuments,howbeit
in our hearts
of
heart,
entrenched in
lasting memories that
will
not only stay
for
a while but
a
lifetime.
Adieu!
to our fallen heroes.
Dedicated
To
all
youth corpers who
lost
their lives
at the tragic
electoral violence.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
16 Things to avoid on a first date
1. Avoid food fights which can result in really tough stain.
2. Avoid discovering you left your money [wallet] at home after eating a five-course meal in an expensive restaurant.
3. pear wearing under wear as outerwear
4. Avoid appearing 2 eager 4 a date by calling every five minutes to inform that in fact you really do have a date not dreaming or hallucinating.
5. Avoid neither extravagance nor being cheap.
6. Avoid using excessive expressions (phrases) like ‘wow’ ‘me too’, ‘really’
7. Avoid being someone other than you are or your date will think he/she is out on a date with a wrong person.
8. Avoid picking, scratching or rubbing any part of your body.
9. Avoid dating a girl /guy who says yes to every thing you say.
QUESTIONS: 1. How can you tell if you are really in love with someone are there signs to watch out for.
2. I’ve got a problem (have lot of guys who are good friends, but that’s as far as it going. They seem to enjoy being with one as a’pal”, but when it comes to dating a romantic relationship, they always go elsewhere, what can I do? Am tried of being left out.
Watch out on the next edition or visit www.poisedcorper.blogspot.com
10.Avoid eating all foods containing hot pepers, extra onion-you Know what happen after you ‘ve spoken.
11. Avoid dating who offers to pick you up in a borrowed car.
12. Avoid a date who tells you his break-up story.
13. Avoid making a pass at your water/waiter while your present date is checking the menu.
14. Avoid spending the whole evening letting your date know how much he/she reminds you of your ex-girl/boy friend, mother or sister.
15. Avoid over dreaming and under dreaming.
16. Avoid talking too much but don’t have a silent date.
Ways to succeed as a corper
I could not believe my sight, am actually going to serve my fatherland as i search for my call-up letter.
Cool, my only opportunity away from home, old friends, gossips and an open door to a whole new life, enough flexing, clubbing {I’d never gone to any party not talk of clubs} yeah, late nights, anything.
Lesson 1:-Never see the service year as an escape from home or opportunity to live a bad life. Always see it of a platform to succeed and stabilize in life.
Ok, bottom line, am looking ravishing for the camp, i thought to myself as I made a list of what I want to buy.
Lesson 2: Obey the rule of necessity, buy only the natal items. You might need money for something else.
Uncle, aunts & friends always help, they did give a few wins and plus my savings. Kenny heard the meal is always bad. I spoke to a friend, and it lacks the required nutrients, because, the population is always much on camp, replied Kenny.
My big sis gave enough word-to avoid ulcers or malnutrition, don’t eat in the kitchen, eat out, I read out to my friends, mami you mean then, I got the same info from a friend recited Chelsea an we made our way down to mami market. 21 days, 2 times a day {morning, afternoon} I ate at mami and flexed all nights.
Lesson 3: Learn 2 save, try the kitchen food, it has never killed any. Lets help you do your laundry, then gold jewelry looks good on you-please buy from me, do you want 2 serve in capital city- it will cost a little. A lot happens in camp-they did my laundry- 4-money.
I bought their gold-my money.
I really need to serve in the capital city-my same money.
Lesson 3B: Save {they do not matter an inch} be wise in spending.
Fellowship are for the over spiritual, I am a Christian but not those……{thinking}- while others did. Your first night outside camp might be under a bridge, close to the burial ground, opposite the village shrine-so you need them.
LESSON 4: Christian/Muslim/pagan-join a fellowship group-they always help in directing a shelter counseling {remember your tithe don’t sub God}. Stupid me I never did.
Serving with one of the ministries in the city, I did take my time- go 2 work twice a week but didn’t stay till 1:o ‘clock (1 pm). Am a corper , am free, unlimited to under no laws persay.
Sorry we don’t give out accommodation, try looking for a home.
Reader-hey! What comes 2 your mind? Option A flat , self-contained, just a .room
Always cut your cloth according to your size.
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