Opinion I Today July 15 is, World Youth Skills Day

INTENSIFYING SKILLS ACQUISITION AMONG THE YOUTH AS THE 2017 WORLD YOUTH SKILLS DAY IS MARKED ON SATURDAY JULY 15

          

Today July 15, the world over is celebrating the third edition of the World Youth Skills Day. The day, which is aimed at enhancing the youth’s ability in order to make informed life and work choices, was established by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on November 11, 2014. World Youth Skills Day was initiated in the UN by the effort of the Sri Lanka Representative. The UN General Assembly calls on Member States to observe the day in an appropriate manner.

         

A skill can simply be defined as the ability to do something well. It can also be referred to as ability and capacity acquired through deliberate, systematic, and sustained effort in order to smoothly and adaptively carryout complex activities or job functions involving ideas, things, and/or people.

    

Similarly, skill acquisition is the process of acquiring a certain skill by an individual through a thorough intensive training over a given period of time. Skill acquisition involves both theoretical and practical training regardless of its duration.

        

Skill can be classified into three major parts including cognitive skills, technical skills and interpersonal skills. A cognitive skill deals with ideas; technical skill is the ability to handle things or a certain human endeavour effectively and efficiency. Whilst, interpersonal skill is the ability to relate with people around you usually in business or work places. There are hundreds of thousands of skills in existence such as sporting skill, cultural skill, installation skill, maintenance skill, manufacturing skill, management skill and what have you.

       

Skill is required in every area of human endeavour and it enables the entrepreneurship drive of any nation to be actualized. The most important aspect of skill acquisition is that it benefits all classes in any society involved especially the masses.

        

A small or medium scale entrepreneur is expected to hire many skilled people to take on tasks that are outside of his/her skill set. However, every individual either a prospective leader or business personnel, must relentlessly strive to acquire the skills that will make him/her a great leader or a successful businessperson as the case may be.

        

Someone who has commenced a business or trade venture owing to his specialized skills and knowledge related to a particular service or product is required to expand his skills to be a successful entrepreneur. Such measure is referred to as ‘Skill enhancement’. No doubt, improving skills related to acquiring money or raising capital for a business boost represents the difference between success and failure of the venture in question.

        

Unequivocally, being good at starting a business does not automatically make one good at planning for growth. He/she must acquire planning skills that tie his/her vision to practical steps, which the business can take to realize that vision. The acquisition of the aforementioned skill is important because without it, your firm or business venture can stagnate and lose out to the competition.

        

One may have envisioned a smooth rise to the top when he commenced his business, but the truth is that he will surely encounter crisis or challenging situations. Whether it has to do with shortage of money or the loss of his facilities to a fire disaster, he must acquire the skills that would enable him to remain calm in times of turmoil and maintain his ability to make adequate decisions. This step is very vital because the affected person can learn to triumph when it looks like he could be defeated. Needless to say that skill acquisition in decision making remains an inevitable tool while carrying out a business strategy.

         

On the other hand, the importance of acquiring strong communication skills will be evident in all of one’s entrepreneurial activities. From networking to leadership, one needs to constantly and consistently update his communication skills to enable him form alliances and encourage consensus.

         

Taking Nigeria as a case study, you would notice that most of our young ones or the youth are potentially preoccupied with variety of skills in various areas of human endeavour ranging from culture to sports, engineering/sciences, art works, and leadership, that need to be develop with a view to strengthening their respective entrepreneurship prowess towards nation-building.

         

To this end, there is need to encourage our young ones to be acquainted as well as acquire proficiency in one skill or the other within their reach. The schools can help in this regard by ensuring that the pupils or students regularly create time for guidance and counselling during their school hours. A good counselling would enable each of them to discover their potential skills or abilities thereby making them develop an interest in that area. The parents and guardians on their part should not hesitate to boost the morale of their children or wards in any skill they are fit in by providing all the needed materials or facilities for them to excel.

         

Inter alia, there is an urgent need to revive the various technical colleges and commercial schools situated across the federation that are currently moribund. And at the tertiary level, the Entrepreneurship Studies, which are usually done by the undergraduates as General studies, ought to be taken more seriously by the various school managements. More so, the ongoing Industrial Training (IT) and Teaching Practice (TP) schemes being observed by the Universities/Polytechnics and Colleges of Education respectively must be intensified by the concerned authorities. Above all, the various cultural heritages across the country need to be revisited with the aim of harnessing the required ones; this will go a long way to discover and reawaken thousands of skills among the youth.

         

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the annual World Youth Skills Day, it’s imperative for governments at all levels, the civil society, religious bodies, corporate organizations, and well-meaning individuals to intensify awareness on the importance of skills acquisition as well as look for a way they can contribute their respective quotas in the crusade with a view to eradicating the socio-economic crisis currently ravaging the country. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director,Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

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Opinion I Today July 11 is, World Population Day

ATTAINING A SUCCESSFUL POPULATION CENSUS COME 2018 AS THE 2017 WORLD POPULATION DAY IS MARKED ON TUESDAY JULY 11

        

On Tuesday, July 11, the global community is commemorating the 2017 World Population Day. The day is an annual event observed on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise awareness on global population issues. The event was solely established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the year 1989. The establishment was inspired by the public interest on July 11, 1987, which was the day the world’s population reached approximately five billion people. The theme of this year's commemoration is 'Family Planning: empowering women and developing nations'.

          

Population is the overall number of people or animals in a particular locality. Whilst, population census is concisely defined as an official survey of the total number of persons or animals of the same specie coexisting in a given arena. Similarly, it can further be described as the summation of all the organisms of the same group that are inhabitants of a certain geographical area as well as possess the capability of interbreeding.

          

Nigeria is generally regarded as the most populous black nation in the world with about 170 million people. However, currently likewise many other nations, there’s no exact figure of the country’s population owing to several challenges or constraints, and it’s pertinent to acknowledge that suchlike phenomenon negatively affects the workforce of any country involved thereby disrupting its socio-economic and political strength.

          

In view of the aforesaid assertion, it’s imperative for Nigeria to take a severe measure toward ascertaining the exact number of persons that hail from the country as well as ensure that the growth of such population is adequately controlled. So, as the nation awaits her next population census, come 2018, the National Population Commission (NPC) is expected to leave no stone unturned towards ensuring that nothing but absolute success is recorded during the awaited exercise.

         

The census in question, which its Enumeration Areas Demarcation (EAD) was conducted in 2016, was statutorily meant to take place in the said year (2016), since the last one successfully held in 2006; it’s noteworthy that the exercise is required to be carried out once every ten years. This very lapse implies that either the census wasn’t properly captured in the 2015 budget by the immediate administration or that the money budgeted for the project was misappropriated by the said administration. Whichever reason that occasioned the loophole, the present government ably led by President Mohammadu Buhari ought to ensure that the aberration does not repeat itself.

          

In the same vein, there’s a compelling need for rigorous awareness campaign regarding the project. I want to firmly disabuse the concerned authority of the notion that every Nigerian is currently aware of the forthcoming exercise. We must take into cognizance that not every citizen of this country, likewise other developing nations, is privileged to listen to the radio, watch the television, read the newspaper/magazine, access the internet or the social media, as the case may be. In view of this, I want to notify us that at the moment, at least, about 35% of Nigerian adults are yet to be informed of the awaited 2017 population census.

           

To this end, I implore the NPC to employ all the needed avenues with a view to ensuring that no citizen of the country is sidelined as regards information. They should subscribe with the various telecom firms toward issuing regular bulk SMS to the teeming Nigerians. Even at that, not everyone has access to a cell phone; thus, in addition to electronic and print media, we must involve such other means of information dissemination as street awareness, town-hall meetings, and what have you. Town hall meetings would conscientize the traditional rulers or town union leaders to engage the services of their respective town criers thereby enabling door-to-door awareness mechanism. Against this backdrop, collaborating with other relevant corporate bodies to include the National Orientation Agency (NOA), civil society groups, religious institutions, and schools, among others, would be very helpful.

          

Inter alia, contrary to the De-facto method of enumeration that’s intended to be used by the NPC during the exercise, which is not unusual compared to the previously conducted ones, I strongly insist that the De-jure method of enumeration would be more reliable and accurate for the exercise. The latter, if utilized, would unarguably enable the personnel to acquire the clear picture of every citizen of the country thereby enabling the commission (NPC) to arrive at a holistic conclusion.

          

The De-facto method is the enumeration of individuals as of where they are found during the census, regardless of where they normally reside. Whilst, the De-jure method is the enumeration of individuals as of where they usually reside, regardless of where they are on the day of the census. Suffice it to say that the former involves head-count contrary to the latter which mainly involves house-count.

           

The De-facto method unequivocally showcases that there’s a tangible probability or tendency of not counting every Nigerian as long as the exercise lasts. For instance, if Mr. A wasn’t found at his place of residence when the census officials came around, there is also a strong possibility of not locating/finding him at other residences or institutions he is affiliated to throughout the exercise. May be when they would visit his/her home in the city, he/she would be at his/her village home, and vice-versa.

           

Besides, that’s no assurance that all Nigerians resident abroad would be available during the census because every Nigerian in the Diaspora wouldn’t be able to sacrifice whatever he/she is doing over there for the sake of the exercise. Even if based on their patriotic nature, they eventually unanimously wish to return home in order to be counted, obviously that’s no guarantee that they will all afford the required flight ticket. And, we are not unaware that the census officials won’t travel abroad to ensure that every one of them is duly counted. These, among other crucial and sensitive factors, are required to be seriously taken into consideration.

          

The fact remains that every Nigerian, both at home and abroad, needs to be counted because there’s a tendency that one who’s based abroad might decides to return to Nigeria the following month after the census, and thereafter becomes a permanent resident of the country. Of course, we are very much aware of the socio-economic implication of such decision especially in a situation where the person in question was not counted during the census.

          

The De-jure method, which involves house-count, would definitely ensure that every member of a given home or family irrespective of where he/she resides or is based is duly counted during the census. People shall be counted based on their respective states of origin; in other words, the houses to be visited shall be those that are owned by only the indigenes of the affected state. This approach would also enable us to acquire the exact number or statistics of persons that hail from each state of the federation. During the census, the NPC officials need to request from those present at the houses visited the documents that indicate the authenticity of the membership or citizenship of the absentees or those residing abroad, as the case may be, such as birth certificate, LGA’s certificate of origin and/or evidence of schools attended.

          

This implies that the proposed De-jure method, which is result-oriented, wouldn’t be only more accurate and reliable but cost cum labour effective. In fact, there’s need for the apt authorities to extend hand of fellowship to the cognoscenti towards attaining a hitch-free and successful 2018 population census in Nigeria.

         

Above all, we have been reliably informed by the NPC that only its staff would be involved in the exercise; it’s a very wonderful and welcome idea. But the commission is required to use every means to decisively warn its personnel or any concerned body to steer clear from any form of unpatriotic act including cheating and indolence while the concernment lasts.

          

Moreover, the NPC ought to endeavour to introduce a holistic and adequate database that would stand the test of time as well as update it on a regular interval to enable the commission maintain a comprehensive statistics of the country’s population after the exercise. In view of this, a special department/unit that would man the day-to-day affairs cum well-being of the database needs to be created in the commission, and reliable experts on ICT should equally be engaged in the proposed department. For the department to strive successfully, world-class softwares to be manufactured by software-developers whom would also be part of the department should continually be employed, and such software must be reviewed at all times; in addition, the unit ought to boast of anti-hacking softwares and personnel.

          

Such tactical measure should also be replicated towards ensuring that the overall birth-rate and death-rate occurring in the country is constantly and consistently gathered, regardless of the locality where the event took place. Hence, every maternity and mortuary operating across the federation must be duly recognized by the NPC whereby every child delivery or corpse deposition, as the case may be, would be instantly reported to the commission via the respective ICT departments of the said centres.

           

To this end, in event of home child-delivery, such case needs to be reported to any nearest maternity for onward documentation; similarly, whenever one dies and his/her corpse isn’t taken to the mortuary, the bereaved family is required to report such incident to a closest mortuary. This implies that henceforth, any maternity or mortuary that isn’t recognized or approved by the NPC must be shut down indefinitely; such monitoring would equally require setting up of a mobile committee by the commission that would regularly oversee the existence cum activity of all maternities and mortuaries.    

          

Most importantly, it’s obvious that the project in question is extremely capital intensive; thus, in addition to the budgeted fund, financial assistance is required from concerned individuals, stakeholders, as well as non-governmental organizations. Hence, as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the World Population Day, there’s need for the NPC in collaboration with other relevant agencies to set up a competent, formidable and reliable ad-hoc committee strictly for fund raising and other related matters, so that the awaited census would be a success in the long run. 
          
Also, as this year's theme implies, in our various capacities we are expected in our respective jurisdictions to individually or collectively support the ongoing efforts targeted towards raising awareness on the importance of proper family planning. We must at all times note that it is only a well planned home that can be of social and economic value to the concerned society. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

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Opinion II Fifty-Three Happy Cheers To A Quintessential Deputy Governor

FIFTY-THREE HAPPY CHEERS TO A QUINTESSENTIAL DEPUTY GOVERNOR

         

The last time I checked, the Imo State Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere, MFR who I often refer to as quintessential, had graciously clocked fifty-three (53). The new age metamorphosed precisely on Tuesday 4^th July 2017 to the best of my knowledge.

        

This piece is informed by the compelling need for Imolites both home and in the Diaspora, and of course the global community, to realize the reason the said celebrant deserves to be celebrated by all and sundry irrespective of our religious, social and political divides. The gospel truth remains that Comrade Fred Nwaozor is not good in tendering eulogies, but usually loves to celebrate anyone whatever who truly worth celebrating.

          

Then if the facts must be appraised, I ought to wholeheartedly notify us that Prince Madumere obviously merits thunderous accolades at such occasion like this. Why? Because at 53, he had succeeded in accomplishing what millions of his contemporaries could not accomplished; at 53, he has proven to millions of his fans out there that he is indeed a man you can entrust with formidable treasures; at 53, he has showcased to the world that he is a leader with a difference; above all, prior to the new age, he has already written his name in gold. Let’s ride on!

          

Brethren, space and time may not be enough to extensively bring to our notice why my person actually thought it wise to celebrate the Imo number-two citizen. Notwithstanding, I would try as much as I could towards doing the needful as long as this analysis lasts. The least I would think of, or attempt to indulge in, is to be economical with facts, knowing fully well that this column is conspicuously synonymous with such recipe (facts).

          

To start with, Prince Ezeakonobi Madumere is a good supporter. He remains one of the prime reasons the ongoing Rescue Mission Government led by Owelle Rochas Okorocha is flourishing by the day amidst tremendous challenges. It suffices to assert that he is a good back-up. Having him behind you, or by your side, is enough reason for you to be courageous, dogged, relentless and among all, passionate in whatever you strongly believe in. Little wonder the governor (Owelle) continues to thrive relentlessly.

         

Prince Madumere is a silent achiever. He does not blow his own trumpet; rather, he allows others to do it for him. I want us to note that this great man has done what Napoleon could not do within his short reign thus far as the Deputy Governor of the Eastern Heartland, but majority of the general public is yet to acknowledge this fact because the achiever in question does not make noise; he doesn’t believe in noisemaking. It pays to strive in silence and allows your achievements to hit the drum.

         

The celebrant is a core humanitarian. He is a humanist of repute; a man who truly believes that everyone, regardless of his/her social background or status, deserves to be happy. His membership in the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) is not a mistake because that is where he truly belongs. I’m a core Red Crosser; while in the university (FUTO) during my first degree, I became the Commandant of the aforesaid humanitarian organization. Needless to state that I’m speaking from experience.

         

Prince Madumere is synonymous with good luck. Whatever he is into, flourishes freely. I have taken my precious time to study his numerous associations with different events cum projects; and none ended up in shambles. For instance, each time he finds time to grace any football match played by the Heartland FC, the team would emerge victorious at the end of the day. If you are still in doubt, you can do well and crosscheck your history book for onward details.

         

The celebrant is no doubt a humble, accessible and easy-going man. He is s gentleman everybody wishes to behold. Have you seen him walk? If your answer is No, then I urge you to take time to study his footsteps. Have you watched him speak? If your answer is equally No, then you as well need to start following his speeches. I put it up to you that a good leader is known by his words, or how he speaks. Have you observed him whenever he attends events? He knows how best to reach out to every attendee in any event. Please, try and go closer to his person with a view to ascertaining these facts. If you do, you would be left with no other choice than to concur with me that the Deputy Governor is undoubtedly humility personified.

         

I can’t conclude this piece without letting us know that Prince Eze Madumere is a cheerful person. I have never seen him frowning or appear in a painful mood. If he has ever appeared in a soured mood, that should be in ‘the other room’. You know women, sometimes, could make a happy man frown when his appetite is high for that delicacy that’s usually served in ‘the other room’? Moreover, he could also be in a painful mood while in burial ceremonies. But the fact is, under normal circumstances, the celebrant invariably grins.

         

Cheerfulness has a unique way of sending a message to the people around you; it gives them a sense of belonging; it makes them believe more in you; it shows them that you are a man/leader in whom they are well-pleased. Believe it or not, cheerfulness can create a way where there is none. In other words, such idiosyncrasy ought to be one of the basic features of a leader; hence, it should be invariably bore by anyone who calls him/herself a leader.

           

Ladies and gentlemen, please permit me to drop my pen at this juncture. But before I do that, I wish to seize this opportunity to enjoin Imolites and beyond to join me in celebrating this Deputy Governor with a clear difference, though he didn’t invite me to his birthday party. He may not be perfect but he is sure near to it, thus deserves our collective accolades. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

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