Youth inspiring and empowering youth: Grace Ihejiamaizu

Grace Ihejiamaizu is a graduate from the Department of Sociology, University of Calabar and an emerging Social Entrepreneur. As an undergraduate, she served as the Project Director of Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE), University of Calabar team. Grace, like many young emerging leaders is poised with great passion for positive change in Nigeria. Passionately committed to creating value and helping young people develop their leadership and entrepreneurship skills towards nation building, she has recently initiated and launched the RYPE Project.

 

Before now, Grace has been actively involved in various community based and youth-led projects under the auspices of various youth organizations. In 2010, she was conferred with the SIFE Nigeria’s Prestigious Award for Excellence in Leadership and Service. She also got a US Government Sponsored scholarship award to study Social Entrepreneurship at the University Of Connecticut's Global Training and Development Institute, Connecticut, USA.

Here is a short interview feature to inspire you:

What is Rype? If not RYPE what else?

RYPE is an acronym for Raising Young and Productive Entrepreneurs. The RYPE Initiative is a youth-led “afterschool youth development program” designed to empower secondary school graduates to be more competent. These set of youths are found to be the most vulnerable to social vices. Their strengths and energies are all opportunities, not ‘threats’ and must therefore be meaningfully engaged and channeled towards productive ventures. It is the sole aim and purpose of RYPE to reduce unemployment, violence and idleness amongst youths, by educating, inspiring and empowering them to develop an entrepreneurial spirit. Apart from RYPE, I am also working on producing the maiden edition of the GoldenYouth Magazine later this year as well as helping out with SIFE UNICAL activities and projects while awaiting my National Youth Service Corp. 


What inspired RYPE?

The venture idea is inspired by the entrepreneurial drive in the United States that has led to most of the visible and sustainable development in the country; coupled with the fact that many youths in Nigeria (especially the Niger-Delta area) are wasting their youthful energies in violent and unproductive activities when they can actually invest them in more meaningful and productive ventures and contribute to nation building.


You recently held a youth forum for youths in Calabar, how is it different from other youth gathering events?

Yes! I would start by saying that aside consolidating on the basic entrepreneurial skills, goal setting, self awareness and leadership, which is the first goal in the action plan of RYPE Initiative, the main aim of the forum was to harness maximally the potentials, passion and strength of young people towards attaining socio-economic benefits for themselves, communities etc. It was to serve as a medium where young secondary school leavers can get application forms and become part of the one year RYPE program. Top highlights of the event hinged on sessions that exposed the participants to major guidelines to passing JAMB and Post-JAMB with ease.

The forum brought together over 30 young people in Calabar. Its focus was on secondary school graduates who have not yet been admitted into the University. Many Youth gatherings hardly focus on this target group. It was a huge success as the facilitators used practical means involving group exercises to teach the participants the various topics. The topics ranged from Creativity, Goal Setting and self-awareness to Leadership and tips for Success. This for me stands it out from other youth gatherings. It was more involving and more interactive and the comments we received from both the participants and the facilitators confirmed this.


How do you intend building a synergy with other youth organizations in your community?

RYPE for now is at its startup and we hope to work in partnership with other youth organizations here in Cross River State to achieve some of its objectives. Currently, we have links with ASPMP headed by Esther Eshiet and SIFE UNICAL headed by a team of undergraduate students. We hope to organize programs, brainstorming sessions and conduct other activities and programs that will attract youth organizations with similar interests and foster partnership.


What is your long term vision for RYPE?


To build a solid and globally competitive platform on which youths, from the secondary level up to the higher institution level can acquire real life skills, express themselves, expand their horizon and become productive social/business entrepreneurs.

Who is your role model and mentor(s) and what role do they play in your life and work?
 Jesus is my role model as well as my dad who is late now, may his soul rest in peace. I look up to adults who inspire and motivate me, apart from my mum, I have Mr Nelson Ozoduru, Regional Manager of AfriHUB, South South Region. He has always been there! He also happens to be the RYPE Team’s Ally/Mentor.

What is your message to Nigerian youths?

I am greatly inspired by Nelson Mandela’s quote that “Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great, you can be that great generation”. Yes indeed you can be that great generation. This statement calls for concerted action not just words. Do you have the vision? Have you got the passion? Then start taking action. The world indeed is hungry for action not words. Nigerian youths must rise up and start taking action; they must realize that their potentials, strength and number are all opportunities, not threats and must therefore be channeled in more productive ventures and harnessed in taking action for positive change. No matter how little, please start something, do something and make a difference. Your good works and impact will find you out. God Bless you.

For more info, visit: http://www.rypeinitiative.wordpress.com/

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Inspired by Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu who recently won the $50,000 Rolex Young Laureate Award!

UPDATE: Nnaemeka recently won the Future Awards in the Young Person of the Year category. Check out our most recent interview with him here

Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu wants to build on the achievements of his Smallholders Foundation – which is already broadcasting 10 hours daily to 250,000 listeners on Smallholders Farmers Rural Radio – by establishing a communications network reaching 3.5 million farmers in almost 5,000 villages in his own region, Imo State, in south-east Nigeria. Not only will farmers receive advice on a wide range of topics – from sustainable farming practices to HIV/Aids and opening and running a bank account – they will also be able to contribute information, thanks to interactive mobile radios, known as AIR devices. These small, solar-powered machines allow listeners to send voice messages, free of charge, to radio stations, which can, in turn, broadcast them. Imo State’s farmers will have a platform to share experiences, ask questions and receive answers in their own language. Ikegwuonu’s long-term ambition is to extend the service to other regions in Nigeria and Africa.”

Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu recently won the $50,000 Rolex Young Laureate Award. CP-Africa caught up with him during the award ceremony in Geneva to talk more about his work and project initiative. In this interview, 28years old Nnaemeka talks about his passion for agricultural development in Nigeria and plans for expansion to other African countries.

When you got the news about winning the Rolex Award, what was your first reaction?

When I got the news that I got the award, I was a bit surprised because there were other young people with brilliant ideas. I was surprised not because we are good but because it was another recognition of our relentless effort to promote our agricultural development.

What is the latest update on the Smallholders Foundation?

Small Holders radio aims to get 3.5million listeners. To get this number of listeners, we need big transmitters, big antennas, and we need to put more people to work with and expand our scope. We have been able to recruit 10 new radio broadcasters who are small farmers themselves. We have been able to put in place best practices within the broadcasting chains, knowing that these journalists are not professional broadcasters; there is the need for them to understand the basic principle of journalism…within the scope of our organization which is to improve agriculture.

How many programmes do you have running?

We have the agricultural programme, environmental management programme, market information programme, health programme and youth development programme. All of them are in the local language (Igbo).

How do you think the project (Working with rural farmers) has impacted your life?

The project has impacted my life in the sense that I am always trying to see what more can be done to improve lives and agriculture in Nigeria. In response to farmer’s need, my organization will be starting a micro-finance programme by the end of this year.

For the benefit of our readers, can you give an example of how the programme implemented by your organization has helped farmers?
There is what we call rainwater harvesting. Rainwater harvesting is an age long indigenous practice. It means during the raining season, we conserve rain. But it has been abandoned over the years –so we started doing a radio programme that educates farmers on the importance of rainwater harvesting. Not because they need to harvest rainwater but because there is an agricultural benefit in rainwater harvesting…such as when you conserve water during raining season, you use it to plant crops during dry season…instead of you relying on one season farming of vegetable, you can do two season farming and make money from it.

What plans do you have in terms of replicating the Smallholders Foundation in other parts of Nigeria and/or Africa?
I am looking forward to working in West African countries and replicating the idea in East Africa and South Africa. But first, we want to ensure that any where we go to, we are able to adapt our programme to fit the local environment.

What has been your most challenging experience so far?
Getting money to start up. I was considered a high risk. Because I was only 21 when I was about starting so it was difficult to get support. But I wrote a proposal to UNESCO and they approved it. I guess it was more of when the time comes; I don’t think the mountains can stop the time. Dreams are realizable. You can be whatever you want to be if you believe in yourself. One needs to be focused and make sure frivolities don’t distract you.

Now that you won the Young Laureate Award, will funding still be a problem?
Funding is still a problem. There are never enough funds to do all you want to do. But one thing I get from the award is the knowledge exchange between older laureates and younger ones like us. This knowledge exchange- tips on how we can expand our revenue generation scheme etc. is greater than any money.

Why and how did you develop an interest in this field? Why did you start Smallholders Foundation?
I grew up in a family that did a lot of agricultural work …but I never wanted to be a farmer in as much as I am a farmer now. I listened to a lot of radio programme as a kid and wanted to be a journalist. But it was not until I started working in a non-profit organization focused on HIV/AIDS awareness that I realize there was where information that should get to rural community stop. One of the effective tools in reducing poverty is education. You can educate somebody on changes and practice, you can educate somebody to improve on their health. I took time to study why agricultural extension services was not effective in Nigeria, I discovered that agricultural extension services was like traditional services where people are recruited and supported by the government to go to rural communities and teach farmers new methods in agriculture, inform them about news seeds etc. but such practices are not sustainable because there are other areas government have to invest in. I realized radio could be used as an effective tool to avoid the challenges inherent with existing agricultural extension services. (To bridge the gap in the agricultural sector) In 2003, I decided to start up smallholder’s foundation and use radio to educate farmers.

Any plans to expand to TV?
That is possible. But most rural people will need electricity to power their TV.
CP-Africa: What is your advice to young people aspiring to venture out to do similar thing?
You can do what ever you want to do. It does not come easy. There are people who will discourage you but come on, pursue your dreams, you will achieve it.

What was your reaction to the rumor that TIME magazine listed you as one of the 100 most influential in the world early this year?
I knew TIME magazine didn’t name me. The fact was that Rolex published news about us in the TIME magazine. But some journalist misquoted the story. I think Nigerians are equally good enough to be among the most influential in the world.

Considering your level of exposure and exploits, do you sometimes feel any pressure to relocate?
I live in Nigeria permanently and I love Nigeria. I love the people, I love the food, I love the weather and I love my work, which I can only do in Nigeria.

How would you rate the following resources- money, people and idea? Which comes first for you?
Ideas, money to drive the idea, then you get people to drive the idea.
The mission of The Smallholders Foundation is to tackle extreme poverty and hunger among rural small farmers by boosting small scale agricultural production, the only way to kick start and support self sustaining growth and employment in rural areas. For more information about Smallholders Foundation, please visit the website http://www.smallholdersfoundation.org/

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Music. Poetry. And more...

Too many GREEDY people out there! #Scammers

Why will any body just wake up one morning and decide to scam other people? How PATHETIC!  

When next you want to send money to ANY BODY? Please ensure to state clearly that the person should collect the money with a specific ID card, preferably an INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT or a DRIVER’S license. If not, the person might get to the bank or the western union center, only to be told “You have already been paid” :(

Apparently, someone must have gone ahead to pick up the money using a fake ID! Now don’t ask me who that someone is! I have just learned these western union agents have “mole” meaning “insider” who disclose info to people to come cash money transfers that are “vulnerable” i.e. whose sender does not indicate means of IDs. Or it might just be the pretty face Banker who tells you your MTCN number is incorrect, only for you to turn your back and whew! She claims the money! 

Does this not call for some INVESTIGATION? I'll hate to think we can't trust Banks any more! Not to talk of WESTERN UNION!

So I too have experienced the ugly side of Western Union/Technology/Man’s inhumanity to man a.k.a GREED.

In case the thief comes reading my blog someday (you know how they say "it is a small world") I have only one message for YOU and that is: THANK YOU FOR STEALING MY TRASH! 

 

WILLIAM Shakespeare says it better: “Who steals my purse (OR MONEY), steals trash, but he that filches from me my good name robs me of that which not enriches him and makes me poor indeed.”

 

Compared to honor, money is mere "trash."

I feel so sorry for ALL pathetic scammers out there! EVERY DAY is for the thief... but one day go be one day! $$$$$

DON’T BE CARELESS people! Too many greedy people out there who wants to reap where they have not sown! Never again!

SWEETER THAN SEX 2011 (Valentine’s event for teenagers)

Read the latest post on this: http://youthmakingchange.blogspot.com/2013/02/increased-focus-on-sex-promotes.html

What are you doing this Valentine’s Day? Are you young and daring? Would you like to try something different this year? Then you have to be at “Sweeter than Sex”, a FREE peer-mentoring event organized for teenagers. February 14^th, 9am- for more info on how to participate individually or as a group/school, call Precious-Promise on 08028454348. Come learn something new about the sexual orientation of this generation and why abstinence remains key for teenagers.

READER’S RESPONSE (to previous articles):

08075475XXX

I read your article on the Nation newspaper about this generation and I want to ask this question: what do you do for this generation? It seems many youths don’t read newspapers. Young people nowadays find it difficult to read…what other ways do you intend reaching out to people apart from newspaper? Currently we work with artists like Mr Seth, men of intelligence, Ice Prince etc. We advice people to read articles like yours that will help them. We will like to say well done; the sky is your starting point not your limit. If you have seminars, don’t hesitate to invite us. Jermaine, Council of Hip-Hop Kulture, Jos.

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Two hotels in Kabusa village Abuja FCT- Happy Night club and Lady sunshine are being used for prostitution and selling of cocaine. Joseph A.

08082024xxx

Those making write ups on sectional cum ethnoreligious line should stop the callousness and concentrate on getting transparent and progressive government. consider the insecurity, epileptic electricity, accidents, looting of of national resources etc. while the masses suffer. Think about this honestly.

07059674xxx

I love the spirit behind your article advocating of virginity. Abstinence is my watchword and on your political party ground I will ever stand. Otache Monday, Jos.

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From what we’ve seen, we don’t have a credible leader yet. I mean, what is Jonathan doing? He’s busy contesting for election while things are going wrong with the election process. Else, why will he just pass comments instead of act on this difficulty of the registration process? First, students have to be stopped from going to school because there were no umbrella canopies or shift tent for the election registration centres, despite the huge budget allocated to Jega. Then we have stolen machines and the available ones are quack. Instead of voter’s card we are being given voter’s paper and to make matters worse, people have to laminate the paper because the laminating materials were exhausted! Christiana Catherine, Lagos.

Catching-up with a Nigerian in Diaspora

Olanrewaju, my High School friend, visited Nigeria recently. I asked him how he felt about the situation back home and he replied, "I saw a couple of changes—people have more stuff. When I was there, there were no movie Theaters and Plazas. This means more job opportunities are opening up. 

However, the people don’t look happy. Their facial expression didn’t give me a good vibe. Nigerians are the happiest people on earth but their facial expression didn’t depict that when I visited. The visit to Nigeria discouraged me from considering coming home soon. Electricity is still bad. I thought things would have improved. In the US, customer service is held at high esteem but in Nigeria, it seems nobody cares. At the airport, I was trying to have my bag checked, the officer directing me pointed to a group of guys and said "go meet that man there" when there were about 5 men…"

When Olanrewaju left Lagos in 2002, his plans were simple- get a good education overseas and come back to serve Nigeria as a politician. But Like many young Nigerians in diaspora in search of a qualitative education to achieve their dreams, once they acclimatized into the system abroad, their plans change! ‘Lanre’s perception on life was broadened after he got into College. He obtained a BA in Accounting from Georgia State University.

Does this imply he is in support of brain drain?

"It won’t hurt to gain experience here and learn what is making them successful and use it to improve things back home." He said.

In his opinion, some of the things young Nigerians need to keep in mind in the quest to contribute to Nigeria’s development includes:

Education:

Educate people that don’t want to be educated by telling them about the importance of education to personal and national development.

Set a goal:

Know what you want out of life—have a goal in life and set how to achieve it.

Community service and volunteer work:

learn to give a little of your time to serve your community—giving your time shows you care about your country.

Keep good companion:

Hang out with good people. If you hang around with the wrong crowd, it will rub off on you. One of the principles I learnt in High School is that joining multitude to do evil will make you evil.

The Book: "Preserve My Saltiness"

 

"In Preserve My Saltiness Jennifer addresses life's everyday experiences to our world's trends and shared challenges of the 21st century.  Every poem embodies piercing insight and breathless passion.  This is the work of a career poet." Jess Rimington,  Spoken Word artist & Executive Director of One World Youth Project