By Victor Gotevbe
Nigeria’s current crop ofleaders are beginning to appreciate the efforts of several young people who are adding value to the society. The Bauchi State Governor made no mistake when he engaged the services of Akinyemi as His Special Assistant on Information Communications Technology (ICT) following his antecedents.  Ambassador Yemi who is also the President, Nigerian Youth Assembly shares his sensational account with Saturday Youthful Vibes.

Childhood and education

I was born in Efon – Alaaye, Ekiti State to the family of Chief Amos Bamidele Olowokere on 21st , July – 1980. I attended St. Michael’s Catholic Primary School, Efon Alaaye  and Holy Trinity Grammer School, Ibadan Oyo State for my Primary and Secondary Education.

I proceeded to Osun State Polytechnic – Iree, Osun State and later to Federal Polytechnic, Offa – Kwara State where I studied Physics with Electronics and graduated in 2006. I am currently pursuing my  PGD in Information Technology and simultaneously studying B.Sc Computing and Information Systems.

I am passionate about technology and development issues, I ardently believe that “Convention impedes rationality, constructive thinking and that nothing enfranchises like absolute education”. I have been demonstrating this through facilitating discussions about the potentials of ICTs among young people in Nigeria and elsewhere.

Social Responsibility

After my HND, I was posted to Bauchi State by National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2007. I had the privilege to establish in 2008 as my NYSC Personal Community Development Project named “UNITY CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND ICT” aimed at poverty reduction, skill acquisition  and economic development.

With Mayor of Kastamonu, Turkey

This was done in collaboration with the British Council, US Department of Education – New York, some United Nations agencies and a few civil societies both locally and internationally.  It gave me the opportunity to train several young people under the aegis of the program I tagged “Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES)” focused on the Art of Web Designing and Implementation so that they can become self reliant.

The project earned me the NYSC Honours Award for Outstanding Performance for the year (Overall Best Corp member 2007/2008 in Bauchi State)

My efforts in giving back particularly as the Vice President/Director of Programs of Legal Aid Community Development Group of Katagum Local Government Azare, Bauchi States attracted numerous written commendations from the British Council – Nigeria, Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWU) – Bauchi State, Special Schools Management Board (SSMB) – Bauchi and  Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) – Lagos, Legal Aid Council, just to mention a few.

Before my appointment as Bauchi State Governor’s Special Assistant on Information Communication Technology (ICT), I was a Senior Technologist with Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP), Bauchi and during this time I volunteered as an ICT Officer with  Challenge Your Disability Initiative (CYDI) founded by Her Excellency Hajia Abiodun Isa Yuguda. Working with Her Excellency has helped me to realize some potential. She is indeed a great example of integrity, personal courage and human generosity. Her support for humanity has added a uniquely humanitarian dimension to my life.

On World Stage

I led Nigerian Delegation to the 5th World Youth Congress in Turkey (Istanbul 2010) and I was the only delegate from Nigeria and West Africa to the International Youth Forum (Seliger 2011) on the invitation of the Government of Russian Federation. I was appointed a Global Ambassador by Alexis International.  I also enjoy membership of various international organisations.

New wave of change in Governance

Undoubtedly, Science and Technology are the heart of economic growth and development. The Bauchi State Government is technologically driven with policies and institutional arrangements which are most propitious for the creation of knowledge and innovations leading to constant technological progress of the State.

Having a deep rooted background in ICT, I have since resolved to diligently work with other people in the team to make a good impact that will be beneficial to the State and the Society at large.

According to Martin Luther King, Jr. “If a man is called to be a street sweeper he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music. He should sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven and earth will pause and say, here lived a great street”

I remain thankful to His Excellency Mallam (Dr.) Isa Yuguda (Executive Governor of Bauchi State) for the opportunity given me to serve in this capacity as His Special Assistant on ICT. As a democrat, the Governor is humanitarian, he believes in the public good and service delivery through transparency and prudent management of resources and people, and he is providing basic requirements of the people and he is transforming the state into a new frontier of economic development, a model of sorts in terms of development oriented policies and projects like : International Airport Project, Independent Power Project, Establishment of  Industrial Estates, Youth Empowerment and many others.

If young people are given the opportunity by other governors and even at the federal levels as being done by His Excellency, I can boldly say we will deliver on our duties. In fact, I have the keenness to perform creditably since I see myself as a representative of the younger generation in government and whatever success or otherwise I make out of this position will affect the fate of millions of other young Nigerians. Young people have been seen leading changes all over the country. If you look at the current Minister for Youth Development and the Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT), they are young people.

Therefore, young Nigerians should be supported and encouraged in their participation in governance because more than ever, we are ready to deliver, “only the deep can be called to the deep”

Counsel

My advice to young Nigerian is that “choice, not chance, determines destiny. Nothing great was ever done without an act of decision. Too many people go through life not knowing what they want but feeling sure they don’t have it. There is a time when we must firmly choose the course which we will follow, or the relentless drift of events will make the decision for us.

People often are like wheelbarrows, trailers, or canoes: they need to be pushed, pulled, or paddled. You are either moving other people to decisions or they are moving you. Decide to do something now to make your life better. The choice is yours! I counsel the youth to volunteer their energy and time in positive cause(s) they believe in.

I see a future in Nigeria in which the creative energies of our vibrant, tireless and motivated people will respond with enthusiasm when well led.

*Rhoda Robinson

Young Nigerians making the difference

LAGOS STATE

Rhoda Robinson

Rhoda Robinson is a graduate of Human Physiology from the University of Ilorin. She is a trainer and researcher and has strong passion for helping women and young people live healthy and productive lives. Rhoda has used her talents to create opportunities for children, women and young people to enhance their health, environment and empower themselves. All profits generated from her work are donated to projects to improve children health and education.

She is the co-founder of HACEY’s Health Initiative and presently serves as the director of administration for the organization. Some of her works include a children’s book titled ‘Adventures of Piggles’ which she wrote and illustrated teaching children about environmental protection and health, which has also been translated into Vietnamese for children in Vietnam.

She recently completed her second book in this series which will be used by Earth Child Institute in USA to teach children in Nigeria about climate change. She has facilitated various training programmess and seminars on health and environment for students in secondary schools and universities.

KANO STATE

MUSA ABDULLAHI SUFI

Musa  is a graduate of Bayero University, Kano State Nigeria with a B.sc Degree in Geography and later had his Masters on Environmental Management from the same University. He was the lead facilitator of the MDGs Awareness Project in Jega L.G.A., NYSC Camp, and Kebbi State.

*Musa Abdullahi

After completing his NYSC he worked with Community Health and Research Initiative as a program Officer on Safe Motherhood program among others. Similarly he worked with British Council Northern Ireland on climate Change in Africa in 2007. Thereafter, he was employed by British council and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) on Global Xchange Program as Project Supervisor between Nigeria (Kano community) and United Kingdom (Wales Community) up to 2008.

In 2010, he joined Jhpiego, an affiliation of Johns Hopkins University as Strategic Information Officer (M and E) on Maternal and Child Health Integrated Programme in Kano Field Office to date.

Musa is presently the Secretary General of Nigeria Greens development initiatives, and Secretary General of Kano Network of NGOs and freelance development journalist with Kainji Dam the Untold Stories documentary to his credit. Musa is also an artist, filmmaker (Actor Educator).

He intends to dedicate most part of his life to facilitation, networking, research, advocacy, writing and documentary filmmaking, with the intention of contributing his part to reach so many people with development issues, knowledge and actions,  and also to promote religion and cultural understanding through inculcating the sense of global citizenship among populace to promote peace, unity and development across the world.