By Joy Odigie

Genius Hub Global Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has trained 50 Edo youths on digital marketing and other in-demand skills.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was done under the Edo Community Based Re-integration Project.

Isimeme Whyte, the Founder, Genius hub Global Initiative, at the graduation of the beneficiaries on Tuesday in Benin, said the training was to improve socio-economic development in the state.

Whyte, who expressed gratitude to IOM for the partnership, said the recipients of the initiative were selected from different groups such as returned migrants, community members and potential migrants

She said they were trained on filmmaking, cinematograhy, product design, script writing, video editing and digital marketing.

The founder said that 400 persons initially expressed interest but 50 were selected based on assessment for the programme which lasted for three months.

She assured that the graduands would be given sophisticated starter packs to help themselves and their respective communities.

According to her, the good thing about this training is that genius hub provided the trainees life skills and basic interventions.

“This initiative was targeted at using it as a major approach to sustain projects and programs because it is not just the target beneficiaries that are involved, everyone from that community are involved”.

Earlier, Aigbeze Uhimwen, a representative of IOM, on his part, said the project was part of European Union- funded initiative to engage youths and prevent irregular migration and human trafficking.

“We are happy with the engagement with Genius hub to make youths usefully engaged and we hope to continue this,” he said.

In his remarks, Bartholomew Brai, Edo Commissioner for Digital Economy, Science and Technology, enjoined the beneficiaries to make good use of the skills.

He assured them that the state government was always ready to support and provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ayodeji Alabi/Ese E. Eniola Williams

By Ruth Oketunde

The Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative says it has devised an application – WI-APP — to ease electoral processes, provide relevant information and assist Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) during the general elections.

Mr Olasupo Abideen, the Global Director of the group on Tuesday said that the application, on the platform of “Yvote Naija Project” is fully funded by Christian Aid, a relief and development agency.

According to him, the country, since return to democracy in 1999 has witnessed massive voter apathy because of electoral malpractices.

“To change the narrative, the group decided to channel its energy to the electoral process by ensuring that Nigerians use their decisive tool to change the story of the country.

“The courage to change the things that can be changed has been our advocacy for years.

“Yvote Naija which means, Why Should You Vote, Najia, is yet another intentional effort in this direction.

“Two years ago, precisely January 2021, Yvote Naija was born to address voter apathy and increase participation.

“Our missions are to educate voters on the importance of election and the electoral cycle, facilitate the registration of voters and mobilise them to exercise their rights.

“During elections, we also employ technology to track the voting process and engage in fact-checks to debunk misleading information,” he said.

Abideen added that through the App, Nigerians can locate their polling units without difficulty and also find relevant information before, during and after the elections.

“Through the WI-App, users can quickly find and locate polling units that are accessible and inclusive to guide them and encourage them to vote.

“Wi-App creates a safe platform for women, young people and PWDs to engage in electoral conversations and find information that motivates them to participate actively during elections.

“Wi-App provides a live map feature that can direct all users to their polling units,” he added.

Mr Obasanjo Fajemirokun, the founder of WI-APP, noted that the App was out to reach out to two million users during the elections.

“More than 29 million of Nigeria’s national population live with a disability according to the World Health Organisation, 2018.

“However, not all polling units are accessible and those that are accessible are not known to people living with disabilities.

“Also women and youths have been contending to participate effectively in politics over the years and there are a lot of barriers faced by them.

“Such as misinformation and low access to electoral information, among others,” he added.

Dr Inuwa Kashifu, the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), appreciated the group for their efforts at improving the electoral process of the country.

Kashifu, who was represented by Dr Salihu Abdulkareem, added that the agency would continue to partner with the group to ensure that technology is used to simplify electoral processes in the country(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kayode Olaitan

By Cecilia Ijuo

Former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida has commiserated with Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank (AfDB) over the death of his mother, Mrs Eunice Adesina.
The former head of state in a condolence letter addressed to Adesina, said the deceased  had a fulfilled life of service to God, her family, community and the nation at large.
He said the late Mrs Adesina, who started her career as a teacher and later ventured into business, was a dedicated personality, who believed in hardwork.
Babangida said, “in her life time, Mama exhibited great enterpreneural skills, while using her nursing skills to establish a patent medicine store before diversifying into catering.
“She relocated her business to Ibadan in March 1967 as a result of the transfer of her husband from the Federal Civil Service in Lagos.
“Mama had a long matrimonial life until the passing of her beloved husband in 2018.
“The marriage is  blessed with four brilliant sons, nine grand children and eight great grand children.”
The former head of state said there was no doubt that the deceased died a fulfilled mother, saying her sons were all outstanding in their various fields of endeavour.
While making reference to the AfDB President’s achievements as a world class economist and Nigeria’s one time Minister of Agriculture, Babangida said they had contributed to human  development.
“You as AfDB President brought immeasurable and outstanding development opportunities to Nigeria and several African countries in the fields of environment, technology, energy, and manufacturing among others,” he said.
The former head of state prayed God to  grant the deceased eternal rest and the bereaved, the fortitude to bear the loss.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams