The 5th Edition of the Ghana Nigeria Youth Summit came on successfully on Saturday 28th April,2018 at the Onikan Youth Center, Onikan-Lagos. Diplomats from the Ghana High Commission, Government officials, young people from all walks of life, Lawyers, owners of private schools, professionals from different fields of endeavor were all in attendance to share their views and make positive contributions at the summit that had its theme as ‘CHARTING A POSITIVE ECONOMIC PATH FOR AFRICA,GHANA AND NIGERIA MUST SET THE PACE’.

 Declaring the Summit open, Comrade Barry Ndu Nwaihim, Convener of the Ghana Nigeria Youth Summit appreciated all the Delegates that came from Ghana, Nigeria and other parts of Africa for the event. He stated that the 5th Edition of the event was brought to Lagos – Nigeria because of the huge number of Ghanaians resident in that part of the country and to also offer an opportunity for Nigerians who couldn’t come to Ghana for the first four editions to interact directly with their Ghanaian counterparts. He said that the main idea behind the vision is to continuously offer a platform for Ghanaians and Nigerians to constantly discuss issues that affect the African continent and proffer solutions in an atmosphere of brotherliness, love and unity. Comrade Barry Ndu noted that the huge intellectual and natural resources in both countries can be utilized effectively for the betterment of the people. He advised African leaders to always involve young people in issues of Governance as they have the capacity to deliver. He called on private individuals, companies and Government to always support such laudable initiatives that promotes unity and cooperation among sister countries. He recounted the ordeal they went through in getting funding during the planning of the event as most companies prefer sponsoring Beauty pageants than intellectual events like this that add value to human existence. He thanked the Lagos state Government through the Ministry of Youth and social Development for giving them the venue to use. He pleaded with positive minded individuals to support The Youth Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition Center (YESAC) so many young people can have the opportunity to be trained on their preferred skill.

Sir Celestine Omehia,Former Governor of Rivers State who delivered the Keynote Address at the event urged young people to become agents of positive change, stating that they can achieve anything they set their heart to do if they remain consistent and committed to it. He commended the organizers for putting together such a wonderful programme that had an array of the best leaders in attendance. He appreciated their commitment and promised to always support their initiative as it is geared towards fostering a positive alliance between the two great West African countries. He took the Guests down memory lane on the relationship between the two countries which dates back before independence. The former Governor of Rivers state was enthusiastic that Africa can get it right if its youthful population can wake up and become fully involved in leadership rather than always waiting to be spoon fed.

He asked for unnecessary trade barriers within West African countries to be lifted so that there would be more inflow of Businesses and Development.

Mr Maxwell Awiaga,the Consul Genreal,Ghana High Commission who represented the Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria was so excited and joyful .He indicated that this was the first time in a long time that such event aimed at bringing citizens of the two countries was being held in Lagos. Mr. Awiaga, who ensured that Diplomats from the Ghana High Commission, Ghanaian citizens in Lagos and environs were in attendance, commended the organizers and assured of the High Commission’s support in all their plans going forward. He believes that it would be beneficial for Ghana and Nigeria if they can effectively trade among themselves.

Rt. Hon Onofiok Luke,the Speaker Akwaibom State House Of Assembly whose entry into the venue elicited joy and excitement on the faces of already seated Guests delivered a thought provoking and wisdom packed lecture. His achievements as speaker of a state House of assembly even at a young age remain an inspiration to many young people across Africa. He called on African youths to stand up and be counted as power is not given but taken. He said that time has come when young people needs to get involved in Economic and leadership issues. He wondered why African countries cannot trade among themselves but find it easier to do business with foreign countries. He called on the leadership of African countries to device a means and strategy that would make it easy for countries to easily do business among themselves.

Mr Paul Drapson, the Speaker of Ghana Youth Leadership parliament who mobilized his members to attend from Ghana hoped for more collaboration with the organizers. He stated that they are on a mission to work with positive minded groups in championing a better future for African youth. He invited Guests to their next parliamentary seating in August.

 

Mrs Talatu Ogunlana,CEO of Rare Gems Gold and Jewelry was optimistic that the caliber of young people she saw at the event can take Africa to the next level of Development. She said that Nigerian youths are not lazy but hardworking and positive minded. She assured of her constant and unflinching support to the group.

The Youth Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition Center (YESAC) was officially launched to offer a platform for unemployed people to learn different skills so they can become useful to society rather than waiting for Government job. Award was given to certain individuals for their commitment to a better society even as they were urged to do more. Some of the Award recipients are Sir Celestine Omehia, Rt. Hon Onofik Luke, Madam Talatu Ogunlana, President Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo, Wisconsin University, Hon. Awaji Abiante, Chief Dn Alexander, Sam. A. Jinapor, Dr. Abbey Akinoshun, Mr. Jimmy Eniola.

The Organizers declared that the next edition of the Summit would hold in Abuja- Nigeria on Saturday January 26th,2019.To support the Youth Entrepreneurship and Skills acquisition center, they can be contacted on +233541293499, +2347062911957 ,+2348144984731. Facebook page- Ghana Nigeria YOUTH Summit.

Email- ghananigeriayouthsummit@gmail.com.  Website – www.ghananigeriayouthsummit.org

Hello

Inviting you to an evening with AS THE BRIDGE and other MPs engaging and hearing directly on new emerging leaders and opportunities.

https://goo.gl/Bct2SP

It is your time to engage and share the dream to becoming a bridge builder and nation’s developer.

“Nigerian decide 2019”

An evening with Alistair Soyode
Date: Monday May 21st.

NIGERIA IS THE MOST POPULOUS NATION IN AFRICA. THE 2019 ELECTIONS IS FAST APPROACHING AND IT PITCHES THE OLDER PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS AGAINST AN EMERGING NEW LEADERS.

AMONG THE NEW ONES IS FOUNDER 1ST ETHNIC MEDIA PLATFOEN IN EUROPE BASED IN LONDON JUST LIKE PRES. DONALD TRUMP WHO HAS MEDIA BACKGROUND AND STARTING A NEW POLITICAL MOVEMENT AS DONE BY PRES. MACRON OF FRANCE.

Venue: House of Commons Room 8

Commons Commitee
London
Time: 5.30Pm to 7.30pm
Sponsors and Hosted by JEREMY Lefroy and supported by Jim Shannon MP
Other supporting Minister
Co host by Michelle Akintoye BEM
Founder/ CEO BRITAFRIQUE LTD

Speak out in Parliament Education and youth empowering organisation promoting active citizenship
Panelist:

Presidential candidate – The Bridge
Alistair Soyode founder of BENTV & Nigerians in Diaspora Mentoring Corp.
1. Moderator Dr. Segun Johnson

BREAKING NEWS
We are pleased to inform you that as part of THE FIRST EVER INTER-CULTURAL AFRICAN FESTIVAL TAKING PLACE IN BASEL, SWITZERLAND on Friday the 29th of June and Saturday the 30th of June at The Pyramiden Platz in Basel , Switzerland, we shall be honouring African Achievers in Switzerland as part of our Africa4u Awards initiative

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to the nominees for this years Africa4u Awards for Africans in Switzerland as part of the 1st ever Inter-cultural African festival
The Nominees include :
Mr. Jegede Sunday – Jeges Sunny
Sunny jeges production Switzerland
CEO Club Lara Basel Switzerland

++++Breaking News++++
His Excellency Mr Joseph U. Ayalogu, Fr. Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations in Geneva and Ambassador to Switzerland. Backs Diaspora Global Development Conference, London, UK 2018. Will engage in a constructive and interactive session with Nigerian Global Diaspora community on Diaspora Voting Right & Diaspora Commission.

 

 

$20 Million Diaspora Fund for Housing: The outcome of NIDO Europe determination to set a new Diaspora engagement initiative goal with Nigeria by supporting the Diaspora roadmap. The pre-Lunch of $20 Million Diaspora Fund for Housing is coming. All is set @ NIGERIAN GLOBAL DIASPORA DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2018, London UK, 26-28 July 2018. A major announcement coming soon!!!

Olalekan Odedeyi is the BME Officer of Middlesbrough, Pioneer and Chair of Tees Valley BME Forum. He started volunteering service at the age of 8 years, he is a Patriot, Change Agent, Educationist, Supply Chain Analyst and the peoples Advocate with a focus on gender equality and girl-child/women empowerment. Olalekan was nominated and won International Award Winner 2017 (Volun-Cheers Award 2017), as well as Platinum Plus Award in the year 2016– the highest award available through Volun-tees at Teesside University, United Kingdom.

However, He is the Founder of Save the Woman, United Kingdom & Nigeria, also the Co-Founder & Executive Secretary, Women Socio-Economic Empowerment Initiative (NGO), He is the CEO, Oddygo Concepts Nigeria Enterprises, looking forward to launch a Social Enterprise in the United Kingdom.

A Presidential NYSC Honour Award Recipient (2010), Best NYSC and MDGs, Sokoto State Award Winner (2009).

In addition to Olalekan’s MSc degree in Supply Chain Management, he was conferred with 2012 Deans’ Award, Engineering Management, School of Engineering and Computing, Coventry University, UK.

He was also celebrated as a Nominee for the Senior Course Rep of the Year, Prestigious 2012 Coventry University Students’ Union Award, Coventry University, United Kingdom. He also successfully completed the Global Leader Leaders Programme at Coventry University, West Midlands, United Kingdom. Olalekan was also a Project Team Member of the International Experience & Mobility Services (IEMS) at Coventry University to support Students, enhance their skills, gain work and voluntary experience in the UK, also to celebrate multiculturalism and multilingualism as richness in diversity, and contributed to the successful implementation of various cultural mundi projects at Coventry, United Kingdom.

Olalekan served as Secretary, Continuous Improvement Committee, Engineering Management Student Forum, also a member, Faculty Academic Board, School of Engineering & Computing, Coventry University, United Kingdom

 

He is a non-violent, visionary youth leader and a former student leader who served meritoriously in various roles and portfolios both in Nigeria and Abroad. He has always ensure the Students voice to be heard at the right time and in a right manner.

He is translating the acquired knowledge in conjunction with his social entrepreneurial skills to add value to people’s lives through mind building and skills acquisition training projects, so as to rebuild the nation through value re-orientation programme by providing technical and educational support for young entrepreneurs, especially the female inmates, in order to reduce rate of re-offending and increase employment rates, which will directly have an effect on the poverty level in line with new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also enhance the welfare and standard of the many in the society.

Save the Woman Team currently training female inmates to manufacture School Chalk in Nigeria, offering a new skill and empowering women to find new career paths when they leave prison. The team have aspiration to grow the project to involve female prisoners in the United Kingdom, delivering a new product that can sell in the UK market. Already impacted over 400 families and empowered 8 families.

 

HADIZA!
I remember few years ago, we composed love song, we sang love song and we danced in love.

HADIZA!
I remember I thought you Ogirinya dance and you liked it and then you said, “Abah, we are going to dance Ogirinya together forever”. That was the promise that drove me crazy.

HADIZA!
I remember those days that you would never sell any cup of your “nunu” to any customer until I taste it and you would look at me with your sparkling face and pointed nose and smile – the smile that always raptures my soul to the third heaven.

HADIZA!
I remember those days that you would send my sister, Onyeche to me and I would stop whatever I was doing immediately and rush to the Iroko tree along the route to your house and you would say, “Abah, teach me your language; I want to speak Idoma language; I want to greet your mother with Idoma language” and I was proud to tell my friends and mother about you and about our love songs.

HADIZA!
I remember the day I called you my “Ihotu” and you shed tears of joy amidst your usual affectionate smiles. You told me you were privileged to have me in your life and we hugged each other – the first and the last hug in my entire life.

HADIZA!
I remember those days that your elder brother, Hassan lived in my village – hustling freely with his motorcycle day & night and he would stay in Okopi’s drinking joint till midnight before going home and he would go freely and resumes his hustling the following day.

HADIZA!
I remember those days that your uncle, Jibril would match his herds of cattle to River Benue after grazing all day in Okpoga and my father would say, “Jibril, please guide your cattle from my cassava farm o” and Jibril would laugh and say, “I de do my work well well”. He always brought bush meat to my father.

HADIZA!
I remember the Sunday morning that a lorry came to our village and all of you were to be moved from our village and I rushed to you before you entered; you thrust your gaze into mine and burst into deep sobbing; I followed suit. You said you would come back to me and I believed you.

HADIZA!
Where are you now?
You said you would come back to me but it was your brothers that came back.

HADIZA!
Are you aware that your brothers came back with daggers, knives and guns – hunting us like wild animals, roasting us like bush animals, slaughtering our necks like defenseless animals?

HADIZA!
What about the love song we sang together?
What about the Ogirinya dance we danced together every evening under the Iroko tree?
What about our sweet promise of  love?

HADIZA!
Do you still love me?
My heart still beats for you
I still dream about you day & night
My flute still remembers your sweet name

HADIZA!
If you still love me;
Tell your brothers about us
Tell them we only know love songs
Tell them our mouths can’t chant war songs
Tell them we aren’t their enemies or animals

HADIZA!
If you don’t talk to your brothers swiftly
My head may be their next target and you will forever miss me but you may not miss me because my ghost will keep making love with you.

***
Abah, Linus Ajene was born in Ogo Oluwa L.G.A. of Oyo State and brought up in Idiri Okpoga in Okpokwu L.G.A. of Benue State where he has his biological root. He is a 400L student of Benue State University studying English/Education with the ambition of become an African Literature scholar as he progresses in life with time. He was the first runner-up of the 2017 Albert Jungers Poetry Prize and was also shortlisted for the 2018 Tony Tokunbo Fernandez International Poetry Competition. He is the current President of Writers’ League, Benue State University chapter. He writes poems and prose-fictions.

 

Caesar’s Antics

An Original Poem by

Diana Benskin

Copyright@Diana Benskin

 

While Rome is Crumbling

Caesar is fiddling

Heads of State at loggerheads debating

And his Cabinet staff continue resigning

 

While Rome is Crumbling

Caesar keeps fiddling

The democracy he is not saving

From the brink of collapsing

 

Caesar’s leadership skills are not emerging

While Rome is continually crumbling

Another is tactfully recruiting

Those Romans whose skill is inventing

 

Rome’s citizens are protesting

Their cries Caesar is ignoring

While Rome is crumbling

Caesar is demanding

A show of military might Parading

And to the South a wall he will be building

 

While Rome is Crumbling

Caesar is rendered powerless as he is fiddling

By force or will Romans are exiting

An orchestrated purging

Caesar’s wish for ethnic cleansing

 

While Rome is crumbling

Caesar does what he  is best at, fiddling

The  coffers are no longer brimming

Rome once perched high, now a downward slope spiraling

 

While Rome is crumbling

Caesar pouts as he is fiddling

The world is watching

The Romans for Caesar’s impeachment they are calling

But at the throne he is steadfastly remaining

 

While Rome is Crumbling

Caesar has ramped up his fiddling

New laws he is implementing

Tactfully the once United Rome he is slowly dividing

To conquer and rule he will be winning

 

Romans arise and in Unity Resist!

To conquer Caesar we must persist

Get up Stand up and profoundly insist

This tyranny will no longer be allowed to exist 

 

 

 

 I am an African born in the Caribbean, the eldest of my 11 Siblings. I was fortunate to end up in the custody of my maternal Uncle and maternal Grandmother after being born to an unwed immigrant mother in the Caribbean.

Under my uncle’s  loving care , I was encouraged to speak properly and was given the autonomy to explore my surroundings and to question my uncle on issues that puzzled me. I was encouraged to use my creativity and to read a lot.
The above foundation laid the premise for my inquisitive tones of my poetry and to invoke question and thought in my readers. I also seek to remind and record  readers of historical events.

At eight years old I was sexually violated by an unknown assailant, I was told that I went from being a happy go lucky girl , to an angry troublesome child. It was at this time  I was quickly  jettisoned without any reason given to me back to the care of the woman who birth me.

I no longer enjoyed the free flow of dialogue , instead all I heard was to shut up, no one wants to hear you and your ramblings. I was subjected to verbal, emotional, psychological and physical abuse from her. My mother referred to my poetry as nonsense and crazy ramblings that will amount to nothing. I was a mere child of ten years old when this was being said to me, and so I gave up documenting my thoughts on the world around me, but I retained them in my brain .

 

“Spoken words from the mouth of this Babe” is the culmination of those ramblings.   I have also written my life story, “Per Ardua Ad Astra” Latin for Through difficulty to success. The life story of one West Indian Girl.  I am currently working on releasing another Collection “Reflections, Spoken words of an African Immigrant. I am also hoping to release the first in my children’s book series The Adventures of Nugget the dog.

 

I would like to pay  tribute to my Maternal Uncle and  Grandmother,  and my inspiration for writing poetry Maya Angelou. I would also like to thank Dr. Mac for his infinite encouragement to pursue my writing, to my many friends who were my ears of approval or not when I read them my works initially. 

Special thanks to Mrs. Judith Byer who saved my life after I was stabbed by my mother  and nearly perished as a teenager. Lastly but not least to my God Mother Helen Weekes (deceased) who was an inspiring surrogate mother to me.

 

 

 

 

In the poem  below, I seek to compare the society in which I reside in today , with that of ancient Rome. As we continually witness the dysfunction played out in the USA. It will be appearing in my upcoming anthology “Reflections, Spoken words of an African Immigrant. I am one of the nominees for Author of the year under the Divas of Color 2018.

 

 

 

 

Caesar’s Antics

An Original Poem by

Diana Benskin

Copyright@Diana Benskin

 

While Rome is Crumbling

Caesar is fiddling

Heads of State at loggerheads debating

And his Cabinet staff continue resigning

 

While Rome is Crumbling

Caesar keeps fiddling

The democracy he is not saving

From the brink of collapsing

 

Caesar’s leadership skills are not emerging

While Rome is continually crumbling

Another is tactfully recruiting

Those Romans whose skill is inventing

 

Rome’s citizens are protesting

Their cries Caesar is ignoring

While Rome is crumbling

Caesar is demanding

A show of military might Parading

And to the South a wall he will be building

 

While Rome is Crumbling

Caesar is rendered powerless as he is fiddling

By force or will Romans are exiting

An orchestrated purging

Caesar’s wish for ethnic cleansing

 

While Rome is crumbling

Caesar does what he  is best at, fiddling

The  coffers are no longer brimming

Rome once perched high, now a downward slope spiraling

 

While Rome is crumbling

Caesar pouts as he is fiddling

The world is watching

The Romans for Caesar’s impeachment they are calling

But at the throne he is steadfastly remaining

 

While Rome is Crumbling

Caesar has ramped up his fiddling

New laws he is implementing

Tactfully the once United Rome he is slowly dividing

To conquer and rule he will be winning

 

Romans arise and in Unity Resist!

To conquer Caesar we must persist

Get up Stand up and profoundly insist

This tyranny will no longer be allowed to exist 

 

 

 

BREAKING NEWS
We are pleased to inform you that as part of THE FIRST EVER INTER-CULTURAL AFRICAN FESTIVAL TAKING PLACE IN BASEL, SWITZERLAND on Friday the 29th of May and Saturday the 30th of May at The Pyramiden Platz in Basel , Switzerland, we shall be honouring African Achievers in Switzerland as part of our Africa4u Awards initiative

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to the nominees for this years Africa4u Awards for Africans in Switzerland as part of the 1st ever Inter-cultural African festival
The Nominees include :
Mr. Jegede Sunday – Jeges Sunny
Sunny jeges production Switzerland
CEO Club Lara Basel Switzerland

 

WHAT IF TOMORROW IS A MIRAGE

We’ve sheltered the seeds of man in the soil
Sprouted, that birth a head or a tail or both

We’ve leaped to sides of the folded earth
Cloaked in the garment that rise and fill larva

When the birth of man comes in the spring
We lived up like the pigs wallowing in the mud

But the death of man in the winter
The eyes grew in layers like that of a broiler

As I cudgel into this verses
I know not in the mirage of tomorrow

But Papa told me afore I was born
The hairs planted on his head
Is cocooned with black caps
Now laced with yards worn by the angels -white

And Mama has warned to be genteel
Enliven in the world saturated in flowers and woods
For not to live like the shadow
Who vowed to save its silhouette from the sun
For not to-mourn-row -Tomorrow
With columns runs from top to bottom

For the rain falls
Perhaps, the sun shines
For your fruits grow
For if tomorrow is a mirage;
The rain shall fall again
And lap your fruits on its shoulder.

©Onasgeneral

Short bio: My name is Onafowokan Taofeek. I study geography in the faculty of the social sciences ,University of Ibadan. I hail from Ogun State.