DPI Weblog

I have been travelling alot lately. This is the fourth trip I will make outside Nigeria in the last one month, 3 to the UK and one to the United States. This trip is particularly spectacular, I have been invited by His Excellency to join him on a visit to the state of Misissippi, where he is making the keynote presentation at the inaugural Africa and the World Seminar. His presentation will focus on: Oil in the Global Economy: Nigerian and the United States’ Interests.

 Travelling on British Airways, I took advantage of the 5-hour stop in London to quickly head to town to buy a few items I could not get before leaving home. On my way back, I slept off, given that the train will take at least 30 minutes to travel from Elephant and Castle Station to Heathrow. I was awoken by a young man from South Africa who had expressed concern that I could get pass my stop. I was extremely impressed by his concern and courtesy, given that people hardly care about others in such environments. However, the truth of my new friend’s courtesy unravelled when he started to explain that he had just arrived in London the day before and was stranded…you can almost say the rest. I am not certain how I managed to believe him, but I had to part with two pounds.

On arrival in Dallas, we missed our connecting flight to Jackson, so we had to wait for the next available flight which was in the next 3 hours. We finally arrived in Jackson at about 9pm. It was quite interesting to see the security and motorcade which was awaiting the first family. I always took it for granted that Nigerian leaders are hardly accorded such honours. I was very proud that I could be part of this moment. After checking in at the hotel, I have just quickly read my emails, so after posting this blog, I will go to bed. Will write more on this trip later.

 VISION 2020: SETTING THE AGENDASpecial Roundtable Forum for Nigerian Youth in the Diaspora Preparatory event for the Young Citizens for Sustainable Development Conference Saturday March 29, 2008Salmon Youth Conference Center in Old Jamaica Road, Bermondsay, London This is a consultation of Nigerian youth in the Diaspora: to exchange ideas on Nigeria’s long term development plans including the Niger-delta development master plan, the second National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS 2) and the President’s 7 point agenda. This will present an opportunity for them to share their vision for Nigeria’s future as well as how and what they hope to contribute.

Organiser  Development Partnership Initiative (DPI) http://www.developmentpartnership.org/dpi/ 

PartnersAfrican Youth in Diaspora NetworkNigerian Professionals International Network www.niproevents.com

Do Sumthing Poisitive Africa- DSPA www.dosumthing.org 

Supporters: Federal Ministry of Youth Development Abuja RSVP Dumebi Agbakoba: dumebi@dosumthing.org Victor Gotevbe: victor@unesco.co.uk Dabesaki Mac-Ikemenjima: dabesaki@developmentpartnership.org+44 075 346 94724

Next Tuesday, I will be speaking at the opening of the 7th Super Leaders Conference meeting in Port Harcourt. I first had contact with Super Leaders on the day it was began nearly three years ago. The founder and current Executive Director, Rev. Elisha Agaba, an old friend of mine dating back to my days at school had asked me to serve as a Consultant to the organisation and later as a member of the board. I quickly obliged, given my passion for youth leadership in sustainable development efforts.

 SLI organises biannual leadership training seminars bringing together a variety of leaders to receive keynote speeches, lectures and presentations on a variety of issues around leadership. I am glad to have been around long enough to see the growth of Super Leaders. The last Super Leaders meeting received a strong media attention across the state, something I have not seen in a long time! Even though I have been asked to speak on Youth Development as a growth strategy, I will try to focus my presentation on some of my recent engagements to ensure that youth issues are on the map of development planning. My first contact with development work was to address sexual reproductive health issues including HIV/AIDS among young people in the Kalabari areas of Rivers state. I was at some point involved in efforts to Save the Port Harcourt Zoo and later to raise awareness on the potentials of ICT in education and health service delivery, however, my passion is in preventing HIV/AIDS/STIs among young people, particularly as it concerns impact mitigation. Many experts know that poverty is a major driver of HIV/AIDS and young people remain vulnerable if the relevant strategies are not put in place to address youth poverty. I have been working with various institutions to promote youth empowerment programmes as a means to address poverty, unemployment and ultimately HIV/AIDS. Having been involved in national, regional and international HIV/AIDS initiatives, I have recently decided to continue the grassroots work that I had began in Buguma in 2001. I have been speaking with state government officials about the possible development and implementation of a Youth Empowerment Strategy.

 I have also recently spoken to a friend of mine about the need to establish an Advisory Centre in one of the Kalabari Communities where youth can receive information, education and services on issues affecting them. These proposals have been very well received. I am very optimistic that I will be able to use some of the experiences gathered over the years to support and ensure the empowerment of young people in Nigeria and beyond, and the 7th Super Leaders Workshop gives the space to do just that! 

Ps: to participate at the Super Leaders Workshop Meeting, please contact The Rev. Pastor Elisha Agaba Eddie 080 3277 2035, superleadersint@yahoo.com

REACH OUT, SPEAK UP! Ignite Change Now – Global Youth Assembly
August 1 – August 4, 2007

Join 700-1000 youth and young professionals 16- 28 years from around the world to discuss major global issues and what our generation can do about them. REACH OUT, SPEAK UP! Ignite Change Now!

Global Youth Assembly 2007 ia a satellite project of the Youth Assembly at the United Nations. The UN Youth Assembly welcomes you to Edmonton, Canada this summer from August 1 – August 4, 2007. The Assembly is under the patronage of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

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