The Nigerian Youth in Population Pyramid

From the 2011 population pyramid by the National Population Commission and World Bank Growth, young Nigerians between age 20 to 40 make up 47% of the nation’s population, which provides a window of opportunity for high growth and poverty reduction – the demographic dividend – representing a huge potential resource to Nigeria given the critical role of the youths in strengthening the nation’s economy. Source : EiE

Breakout Session 1.5: Digital Natives: The New Media Generation

Watch the video of our session:

Young people, who constitute the majority of the population in many countries, are fueling media innovation. How do young people get and share their news in the digital age? Will growing up digitally change the way a new generation engages in the public debate?

Moderator: Jason Rzepka, Vice President, Public Affairs, MTV Networks, United States

Shiv Bhaskar Dravid, Founder, The Viewspaper, India

Emin Milli, Founder, Alumni Network Youth Group, Azerbaijan (via Skype)

Adnan Hajizada, Founder, OL! Azerbaijani Youth Movement, Azerbaijan (via Skype)

Jennifer Ehidiamen, journalist, Celebrating Progress Africa and the Global Press Institute, Nigeria

Maria Sadovskaya, Journalist, European Radio for Belarus, Belarus


Breakout Session 1.5: Digital Natives: The New Media Generation from World Press Freedom Day 2011 on Vimeo.

"Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great…"

When Oyetola applied to attend one of the numerous capacity building conferences in London last week, it was done out of an attempt to escape from the depressing circumstances around him. I have known Oyetola for many years now. He is one of the few people I try to avoid as much as I can because each time he strikes up a conversation with me, it is always themed around how he can relocate out of Nigeria.

Yesterday, he alerted me online to announce that he was in London. Apparently, he was selected by an international organization to represent Nigeria at a conference in London. As he later recounted “I just applied for the conference and I got in…” I paused for a few minutes; confident that his next line will be to tell me he was using the opportunity to abscond, after all, being away from the shores of Nigeria is something he has always wanted. But was I disappointed! “I took part (in the program) and I was inspired. Now I know it is better for me to return home, because there are a lot of things I could do there… Trust me, I will be home in about two weeks…”

“It would take a whole generation to change Nigeria because it took a generation to destroy it.” Oyetola said, reflecting on how the program impacted his perspective about the current socio-political landscape in Nigeria. “Whose generation then?” I asked. “Our generation. But it has to be a collective effort…to effect a total revolution” he said. I paused to mull over his words. I didn’t hide the excitement about his sudden change. It is the kind of excitement you feel when you see your best friend give up on doing drugs.

No longer is Oyetola obsessed with the idea that real life begins outside the shores of the continent. Although he admits life in the continent is stressful, he said for the first time he realized that to make a good life for himself, he would also need to contribute to Nation building. If it took a week conference for the young man to experience such a paradigm shift, I am beginning to put aside my beef against youths who are always excited about attending conferences after conferences instead of committing their time and resources to doing hands-on development work.

The condition in Nigeria today damages the self-esteem and aspirations of many youths. Oyetola compared it with walking on the street of London aimlessly without a sense of direction. Nigeria has so many resources and potential, yet it is out of the grasp of the average Nigerian youth. Nigeria really puts her youth’s backs against the wall with the level of hardship and strife it inflicts on her youths. It is really difficult to be optimistic and hopeful in such an environment.

But like Oyetola, many of us need a re-awakening experience to enable us re-channel our energy, passion and commitment to nation building. If we want to see our country liberated from every form of oppression, then we must choose to be that generation that rise up to greatness- by taking up responsibility, shunning corruption, being accountable and keeping our integrity etc.

When Nelson Mandela, the former South African President, addressed the crowd at Trafalgar Square in London’s Make Poverty History Campaign, He said: “Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom. Of course the task will not be easy. But not to do this would be a crime against humanity, against which I ask all humanity now to rise up.” That was five years ago. But his words resonate to youths today, in Nigeria and everywhere.

“Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great…” We, the present youths of Nigeria, are that generation…

[Image via Nubian Graphics]

Rant and Rave!

No doubt, a lot is happening in the blogosphere and other online networks these days. Most young people who have issues take it online- to public portals. Others make their contributions and most times, the issues are “thrashed,” but not until its rippling effect is moved on to other social networks. Like a wide fire, news spread from one forum to the other with little or no efforts from the source. A good example? Well, let us not start on that. But a quick visit to Nairaland, Facebook, Nigerian Village square, Twitter , News portal such as 234Next.com, TheNationonlineng.net, and the rest of them will give you an idea…

 

Some Nigerians moved from being subservient into active commentators. We are in an era where our voice counts. Someone say the campaign “Enough is Enough” played a pivotal role in setting us free from the shackles of timidity in the face of injustice. More than ever before, the anger bottled up over time due to a repressive regime is being “unbottled” and most turn to online platforms, like it were a townhall meeting. Everyone has an opinion about everything.

 

However, I share the views of Dr. Aliyu Tilde who although also celebrates the fact that we are using our voices and becoming more active in fostering a positive social reform, frowns at how the liberated culture of freedom of expression is making some of us irresponsible. Individuals on public forums post so many unprintable comments. In an attempt to share or express an opinion about an issue, do we have to be so uncontrollably abusive?

 

Tilde, an avid blogger on www.fridaydiscourse.blogspot.com said Nigerians abuse their freedom of expression so much by the way they post abusive comments on social networks sites. “There is no other country where you will find such.” I concur. There needs to be a balance in freedom of expression to foster a responsible medium of communication.

 

In order to avoid falling prey to the urge to rant and rave without decorum on social network sites, let us embrace a culture of leaving comments when needed but as if speaking/giving such feedback in public. In a nutshell, only post comments in public forums as if you were saying it in public, even if you were posting anonymously.

 

We can learn together. What are better ways to make a point without being so verbally abusive? Hauling insults on personalities, especially public office holders will not bring the positive change we seek. It will only breed more anger and irritation.

Application extended for 2011 G-20Y SUMMIT

IMPACT HOUSE: We are pleased to announce the Second edition of the G-20Y Summit with special focus in one Summit Committee on Africa which will be held in November 2011 in Paris, France.

The 2011 - G20Y Summit with the participation of Africa Young Business Leaders is an Innovative Strategy and Progressive Thinking for Africa's business and financial regeneration; the Dialogue will explore the range of new ideas and initiatives being implemented in support of Africa?s socioeconomic growth, and consider the next steps to locate the next Business and Financial Generation of Africa in the economic emancipation of the continent.

We encourage young Business leaders, Entrepreneur, Economists, and Policy makers from African countries to apply.

How to become a participant from Africa

The G-20 Y Summit International Organizing Committee is looking for participants from the African countries aged from 25 to 45 years old fulfilling the upcoming criteria

• Have a proven track record of achievement in the financial sector or business environment
• Be owner of a company or holding of companies.- Hold a position in a company at least equivalent to CEO, CFO, or any position relevant to Executive Management at a Senior Level.
• Be active member, leading mind of your community.
• Share the values and commitments of the G20 Y Summit organization.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM DOWNLOAD PARTNERSHIP/SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES DOWNLOAD DRAFT AGENDA

Completed application should be sent with résumé and two referrals to africa@g20ys.org. Contact Ayodele Taofiq-Fanida, the Businessman Assembly member in charge of African issues on+2348098746523, or +2348026221289 Source: http://imhouse.org/event.htm

Zero Percent Idle

Most young people who grew up with the 21st century technology and understands the value in using it to seek out opportunities with a view to make impact is often referred to as digital natives.


Technology has changed the way we live- some are more bizarre than others. But Tech age and the emergence of a generation that know nothing else but a digital life should not stifle what is good about life. Technology comes with the good of making things easier but the down side of it is that we fall into the trap of multi-tasking and joggling so many things. Like we have on the computer, we live life opening many windows simultaneously and shuffling between the pages. This justifies that argument about technology almost turning us into robots. Our gadgets must not enslave us.


In “Who are the digital natives? And What do they want?” Tim Windsor on “Zero Percent Idle,” effortlessly described how this generation is different from the older generation. According to him, there are “…8 differentiating characteristics of the Net Generation Norms. Each norm is a cluster of attitudes and behaviors that define the generation. These norms are central to understanding how this generation is changing work, markets, learning, the family, and society.”


The characteristics include us wanting freedom in everything we do, from freedom of choice to freedom of expression; the love to customize everything, from desktop to t-shirts :); we are good scrutinizers and expect transparency; we look for corporate integrity and openness when deciding what to buy and where to work; we want entertainment and play in our work, education, and social life; we are the collaboration and relationship generation; we have a need for speed- rapid communication, instant messages etc; we are innovative in nature and thus seek innovative companies as employers and constantly looking for innovative ways to collaborate, entertain, learn, and work.


In the 2011 Nigeria Elections, technology played an interesting role. Young people, the digital natives, maximized the different social networking sites to monitor and share experiences about the elections in their community. We had websites such as www.nigeriaelections.org monitoring and reporting on election trends. And we also saw the launch of ReVoDa, an application that “seeks to potentially turn the 87,297,789 Nigerians with mobile phones, 43,982,200 with internet access into informal election observers.” Revoda made it possible for voters “to report from their respective polling units across Nigeria, after registration.” It worked. Many young Nigerians used it accordingly. For more info visithttp://revoda.org.ng


Indeed, it is difficult to find anyone idle these days. Even those that do not have personal computers now use mobile phones to access the Internet. This is an information age; we cannot allow ourselves to remain in obscurity, or remain a "siddon dey look" generation.

NEW INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY: HAULAGE SERVICE IN WEST AFRICA

“..Africa now; the investment haven of the World” Babatunde Fashola, SAN Executive Governor, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Undoubtedly, Africa is now the World’s investment haven for only the insightful capitalists. All the problems currently plaguing the globe could find their solutions on the continent. Many of the resources that the World needs and which sustain humanity abound on the continent.

More than ever before, the solution to global challenges lies in Africa than many other regions. Even the Asians, towards whose region most of the World looks for solution, are now investing in the continent.

From irresistible great business ideas ranging from Agriculture, Human resources, Technology, Manufacturing to Infrastructure, ImpactHouse International makes browsing of rich business ideas easy for interested investors. We give professional advice, carry out feasibility studies, formulate winning strategies and utilize relative performance measurement systems to guarantee a sustainable pedestal for you in the Africa’s emerging economy.

Recently, ImpactHouse International introduced “INVEST IN AFRICA” project, 

which is designed to create a platform for Nigerians 

(especially those in Diaspora) to SAVE and INVEST in Africa.

Over the years, Africans in Diaspora who are interested in investment in Africa are constantly faced with three key issues among others, namely;

·      Integrity on the part of managers of resources

·      Credibility/expertise on the part of their business managers

·      Inadequate information on what potential businesses to invest in.

This project will facilitate local account opening for potential investors with domiciliary options (USD-NAIRA, GBP-NAIRA or EURO-NAIRA) and would offer intermittent updates of investment opportunities in Africa. To ensure secured financial transactions, our banking partner - First City Monument Bank (FCMB) shall be responsible for opening and maintenance of the account, and issuance of introduction letters on partnering firms to potential investors.

This project will enable investors to be rest assured that they are not dealing with faceless people as they will be properly recognised by the bank. This will also guarantee safety of their resources as they will have access to and receive automated notifications of transactions on their accounts through their international mobile line and email irrespective of their location.

Our client, a specialized cargo and Haulage Company got a contract to handle the freight distribution for two new major multinationals on the West African coast.

In order to meet these growing demands of providing just-in-time delivery services, we invite individuals interested in this low risk and stress-free investment opportunity to procure TRUCKS (specifications apply) for our client, towards meeting the huge demands.

For more information, expression of interest and Return On Investment enquiry, kindly contact:

Ms Ifeoma Jane Adibe Business Development Executive ImpactHouse International

+234 806 2920 147 business@IMhouse.org

Mr Femi Aderibigbe Executive Director ImpactHouse International

+234 803 4241 889 or +234 802 6221 289 ideafactory@IMhouse.org

website: www.IMhouse.org