There are different reasons why people do what they do and for whatever reasons, the end result is consequential and paramount. At the GKC Foundation, we invest on every youth we come across, and our reasons to invest in young people are these:
1. The fact remains thate there are 1.5 billion young people in developing countries who are between the ages of 10 and 24 and they deserve their fair share. Young people constitute nearly one third of the total population of developing countries and are a dynamic force for change. Our investments is targeted to their well-being! Their interests, their rights as human.
Investing in their education and health will pay off-in terms of improved productivity, reduced health costs and enhanced social capital. On the other hand, failure to do this, would result in global crimes, assaults, poverty for the generation next. This is the first reason we must invest in young people: Because young people account for such a large share of the population in our Country-Nigeria and deserve a large share of resources to guarantee social and economic progress.
2. We must invest more in young people is because five of the MDGs cover areas in which young people are directly involved and the goals will not be achieved unless we focus on youth. I am talking about the goals to:
1. Eradicate poverty;
2. Achieve universal primary education;
3. Promote gender equality and empower women;
4. Improve maternal health;
5. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB; and
6. Develop a global partnership for development.
Join us today and let's make a change in the world!
Cheers and All the best!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Dr.Okonjo-Iweala. . . . What a Woman!
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was announced as the Managing Director of the World Bank on the 4th of October, 2007. What a great accolade to a woman of excellence! Dr. Okonjo-Iweala will join Managing Directors Juan Jose Daboub and Graeme Wheeler, Executive Vice Presidents Lars Thunell (IFC) and Yukiko Omura (MIGA), and Chief Financial Officer Vincenzo La Via at the top level of World Bank Group (WBG) management.
Making the announcement, Mr. Zoellick said "Ngozi brings a unique set of skills and experience to the World Bank Group. As an outstanding Minister of Finance and Foreign Minister in Nigeria, Ngozi helped lead the country's reform program on issues of fiscal prudence, transparency of government accounts, good governance, and anti-corruption. She led Nigeria's quest for debt relief and helped her country obtain an unprecedented US$18 billion write-off from the Paris Club. Ngozi was also instrumental in helping Nigeria obtain its first ever Sovereign Credit rating (of BB minus) from Fitch and Standard & Poor's. She is an internationally respected world leader. In addition, she knows the WBG well from her 21 years of service. Her commitment to the developing world is unparalleled. I am delighted she has accepted to join my senior team."
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigerian national, is Founder of NOI-Gallup polls, an indigenous Nigerian opinion research organization, and co-founder of the Makeda Fund – a fund to invest in African women entrepreneurs. She is currently a Distinguished Fellow at the Brookings Institution. From 2003-2006, she served as Finance Minister and subsequently Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria. As Finance Minister, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala led Nigeria's Economic Team responsible for implementing the Obasanjo administration's far reaching economic and social reform agenda. The reforms made particular progress in restoring macroeconomic stability, tripling growth, initiating a strong fight against corruption, and increasing transparency.
Before taking up her Ministerial appointment, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala served in a number of important positions at the World Bank including Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Director of Operations in the Middle East and North Africa region, and Country Director for the South East Asia and Mongolia Country unit. She joined the World Bank in 1982.
Accepting the appointment Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said: “I am delighted to be coming back, and I welcome the opportunity to work through this great institution to make a difference in the lives of our youth, and our hardworking men and women in the developing world. I particularly look forward to working with President Zoellick as he maps out exciting new paths for the World Bank Group."
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is a recipient of numerous awards and honors including Time Magazine European Hero 2004, Euromoney Magazine Global Finance Minister of the year 2005, Financial Times/The Banker African Finance Minister of the year 2005, This Day Nigeria Minister of the Year 2004, 2005, Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Colby College 2007, and Brown University 2006, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, Northern Caribbean University, Jamaica. She is a member or chair of numerous boards and advisory groups in the public, private and non-governmental sectors including DATA, the World Resources Institute, the Clinton Global Initiative, the Nelson Mandela Institution and the African Institutes of Science and Technology, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Governance Prize Committee, Friends of the Global Fund Africa. She is also an adviser to the World Bank on the Stolen Assets Recovery (STAR) initiative, and served as a member of the Malan Committee on Bank-Fund collaboration.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala graduated with an A.B. magna cum laude in Economics from Harvard University, and holds a PhD in Regional Economics and Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
In her new position, Dr.Okonjo-Iweala will have responsibility for the World Bank’s Africa, South Asia, and Europe and Central Asia Regions. She will also take oversight responsibility for Human Resources. Her appointment is effective December 1.
She trully worth emulation, as a great representative of our Nation, Nigeria!
Making the announcement, Mr. Zoellick said "Ngozi brings a unique set of skills and experience to the World Bank Group. As an outstanding Minister of Finance and Foreign Minister in Nigeria, Ngozi helped lead the country's reform program on issues of fiscal prudence, transparency of government accounts, good governance, and anti-corruption. She led Nigeria's quest for debt relief and helped her country obtain an unprecedented US$18 billion write-off from the Paris Club. Ngozi was also instrumental in helping Nigeria obtain its first ever Sovereign Credit rating (of BB minus) from Fitch and Standard & Poor's. She is an internationally respected world leader. In addition, she knows the WBG well from her 21 years of service. Her commitment to the developing world is unparalleled. I am delighted she has accepted to join my senior team."
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigerian national, is Founder of NOI-Gallup polls, an indigenous Nigerian opinion research organization, and co-founder of the Makeda Fund – a fund to invest in African women entrepreneurs. She is currently a Distinguished Fellow at the Brookings Institution. From 2003-2006, she served as Finance Minister and subsequently Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria. As Finance Minister, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala led Nigeria's Economic Team responsible for implementing the Obasanjo administration's far reaching economic and social reform agenda. The reforms made particular progress in restoring macroeconomic stability, tripling growth, initiating a strong fight against corruption, and increasing transparency.
Before taking up her Ministerial appointment, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala served in a number of important positions at the World Bank including Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Director of Operations in the Middle East and North Africa region, and Country Director for the South East Asia and Mongolia Country unit. She joined the World Bank in 1982.
Accepting the appointment Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said: “I am delighted to be coming back, and I welcome the opportunity to work through this great institution to make a difference in the lives of our youth, and our hardworking men and women in the developing world. I particularly look forward to working with President Zoellick as he maps out exciting new paths for the World Bank Group."
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is a recipient of numerous awards and honors including Time Magazine European Hero 2004, Euromoney Magazine Global Finance Minister of the year 2005, Financial Times/The Banker African Finance Minister of the year 2005, This Day Nigeria Minister of the Year 2004, 2005, Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Colby College 2007, and Brown University 2006, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, Northern Caribbean University, Jamaica. She is a member or chair of numerous boards and advisory groups in the public, private and non-governmental sectors including DATA, the World Resources Institute, the Clinton Global Initiative, the Nelson Mandela Institution and the African Institutes of Science and Technology, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Governance Prize Committee, Friends of the Global Fund Africa. She is also an adviser to the World Bank on the Stolen Assets Recovery (STAR) initiative, and served as a member of the Malan Committee on Bank-Fund collaboration.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala graduated with an A.B. magna cum laude in Economics from Harvard University, and holds a PhD in Regional Economics and Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
In her new position, Dr.Okonjo-Iweala will have responsibility for the World Bank’s Africa, South Asia, and Europe and Central Asia Regions. She will also take oversight responsibility for Human Resources. Her appointment is effective December 1.
She trully worth emulation, as a great representative of our Nation, Nigeria!
Friday, October 19, 2007
In A Bid To Getting Wheelchairs
In my bid to helping some physically challenged youths in the community, I decided to contact some foreign bodies for support and donation of wheel chairs. But I was disappointed by the responses I got, It wasn't because they were not ready to help but they have some reservations about my Country -Nigeria, which sucks me greatly!!! I feel bad.
Below, are some excerpts from their mails to my request for wheelchairs.
1. "Tosin,
This would take a while to fulfill as we have many requests right now. There is also the complication of finding a sponsor in the US as we do not ship chairs overseas, only to people in the US who would then get the chairs to you via their own means. Lastly, I don't know what you mean by tricycle? Do you mean manual vs power wheelchair? A manual wheelchair is one someone would have to push for the person. A power wheelchair is one that someone can operate themselves, but requires regular charging so optimally a reliable energy source 24/7 and I've lived in Ghana before and a reliable energy source is difficult. So please let me know if you have someone in the US, what you needs are more specifically based on what I've just said, and we'll go from there.
A.K
The Wheelchair Project"
(2) "Tosin ,
Thank you for sending your request. Unfortunately, we do not have any wheelchairs available at this time in Nigeria . We had a container sent there, that actually will have to be re routed to Ghana, because of the corruption at the ports in Nigeria , it looks like we will not be able to get it in. I have attached a list of other organizations that may be able to help with your request. Thank you,
W.B
Program Manager"
Although, I've been able to get 2 of the mobility appliances (from various donations in here), But I am yet to give a satisfactory reply to these mails. Or, what do you think? I'd be eager to hear from you.
Thanks.
Most Recent Project
This week has been stressful, tedious but exciting as the Foundation went a-visiting to some secondary schools within the Ikeja metropolis. The meeting with the youth was scheduled to be on the 'assembly' ground in the early hours of Wednesday and Thursday! Thankfully, there were no traffic and the journey was smooth as we were able to meet up with the timing and had a wonderful session with the aspiring leaders of tomorrow.
For the two days we visited these schools (17th & 18th of October, 2007), We emphasised greatly on the need for them to have Good Dreams and Aspiration. And, to be wary of those distrations that comes their way. At such they should learn how to say:
"NO" to Bad Gangs!
"NO" to illicit Sex!
"NO" to Cultism!
"NO" to Peer Pressure!
"NO" to Drugs! etc. But to be Good Ambassadors of their Schools, Communities and the Nation!
We left with this note""The World Would Step Aside for the Youth that Knows Where He/She is Going!"
GKC Foundation. . . . . . . It's All About The Youth
For the two days we visited these schools (17th & 18th of October, 2007), We emphasised greatly on the need for them to have Good Dreams and Aspiration. And, to be wary of those distrations that comes their way. At such they should learn how to say:
"NO" to Bad Gangs!
"NO" to illicit Sex!
"NO" to Cultism!
"NO" to Peer Pressure!
"NO" to Drugs! etc. But to be Good Ambassadors of their Schools, Communities and the Nation!
We left with this note""The World Would Step Aside for the Youth that Knows Where He/She is Going!"
GKC Foundation. . . . . . . It's All About The Youth
Monday, October 15, 2007
An Aeronautical Engineer. . . . . . .A chat
Hello!
As earlier promised, the following is an excerpt of the interview I had with an Engineer from the Arik Airline, Lagos, Nigeria. Please do read on. . . .
Nice meeting you Sir, Could you pls, tell us your name:
Engnr. Emmanuel F.O.
Area of Specialization:
Science.
Present Profession:
Aeronautical Engineering (Avionics)
Who is an Aeronautical Engineer
An aeronautical engineer applies scientific and technological principles to research, design, maintain, test and develop the performance of civil and military aircraft, missiles, weapons systems, satellites and space vehicles. The role is focused on enhancing high-quality flight safety and standards, as well as reducing system costs and, increasingly, the environmental impact of air travel. Aeronautical engineering offers a wide range of roles. Most engineers specialise in a particular area, such as research, design, testing, manufacture or maintenance. I am a quality assurance engineer.
How long have you been in your profession?
9 years of experience
What prompted you into your present profession?
My passion and keen Interest in airplanes
School Graduated from and Degree
I graduated from the Federal University Technology, Akure (FUTA) with a B.Tech in Physics Electronics.
Best Subjects in School:
Physics and Mathematics. To major in Aeronautical Engineering, you’ve got to be good in Mathematics and Physics subjects.
Interest in Sports?
No
Aspiration in Life
To live a comfortable life
Admonition for the youth
To be goal-getters in life, they must be goal-setters, hardworking and ready to pursue their goals diligently. I wish them the very best in life too.
Thank You.
Some other related words include:
Aeronautics is the design and construction of aircraft and the theory and practice of aircraft navigation.
Aeronautical engineering deals with the design, manufacture, maintenance, testing and use of aircraft.
Aerospace Engineering is closely allied to aeronautics and aeronautical engineering but it includes the study and development of rocket engines, satellites, and spacecraft.
Aerodynamics is a branch of fluid mechanics that deals with the motion of air and other gaseous fluids, and with the forces acting on bodies in motion relative to such fluids.
As earlier promised, the following is an excerpt of the interview I had with an Engineer from the Arik Airline, Lagos, Nigeria. Please do read on. . . .
Nice meeting you Sir, Could you pls, tell us your name:
Engnr. Emmanuel F.O.
Area of Specialization:
Science.
Present Profession:
Aeronautical Engineering (Avionics)
Who is an Aeronautical Engineer
An aeronautical engineer applies scientific and technological principles to research, design, maintain, test and develop the performance of civil and military aircraft, missiles, weapons systems, satellites and space vehicles. The role is focused on enhancing high-quality flight safety and standards, as well as reducing system costs and, increasingly, the environmental impact of air travel. Aeronautical engineering offers a wide range of roles. Most engineers specialise in a particular area, such as research, design, testing, manufacture or maintenance. I am a quality assurance engineer.
How long have you been in your profession?
9 years of experience
What prompted you into your present profession?
My passion and keen Interest in airplanes
School Graduated from and Degree
I graduated from the Federal University Technology, Akure (FUTA) with a B.Tech in Physics Electronics.
Best Subjects in School:
Physics and Mathematics. To major in Aeronautical Engineering, you’ve got to be good in Mathematics and Physics subjects.
Interest in Sports?
No
Aspiration in Life
To live a comfortable life
Admonition for the youth
To be goal-getters in life, they must be goal-setters, hardworking and ready to pursue their goals diligently. I wish them the very best in life too.
Thank You.
Some other related words include:
Aeronautics is the design and construction of aircraft and the theory and practice of aircraft navigation.
Aeronautical engineering deals with the design, manufacture, maintenance, testing and use of aircraft.
Aerospace Engineering is closely allied to aeronautics and aeronautical engineering but it includes the study and development of rocket engines, satellites, and spacecraft.
Aerodynamics is a branch of fluid mechanics that deals with the motion of air and other gaseous fluids, and with the forces acting on bodies in motion relative to such fluids.
The Nation We Found Ourselves!
Nigeria is known to be a great Nation in the whole of Western Africa and in Africa at large. We are the giant of Africa. But come to think of it, the giant of today might become a prey tomorrow, if urgent and adequate attention is not given to the youth which constitute 50% of the population. It is no longer news that the rate of unemployment is skyrocketing each year as 95% of her population is currently under-employed and unemployed. Ironically, it is the same youths the elders believe to be leaders of tomorrow.
We find ourselves in a society that care less about the welfarism of the youth! It is so sickening and makes life frustrating. We are in a nation that has left its youths stranded in a dark abyss in the pursuit of National Development and advancement. We are in a nation where life is no longer easy for the priviledged how much more the less priviledged! A nation, whose future leaders are to be pitied!
There is a lot that you and I can do to help salvage this great nation. Let's meaningfully encourage Local Industrial Production (This creates employment opportunity and economic development). Let us encourage and motivate the youth into using what they have got (Potentials) into building a positive reputation for them. Most of these youth have got Inestimable talents and of great potentials which are not being used by them. Let's encourage the use of such and discourage them from bad habits, rebuke them when they deal treacherously, don't leave them alone and say "It's their life"! Remember, the future of this nation is in their hands. We may not have a listening Government, but there is a lot we could do to help ourselves. Let's help them, encourage them and fortify them while we may. I am so sure that there is a youth out there that needs your touch and words of encouragement.
Please do show you care.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The aspiration of Wusa Witani
I was reading through the Nigerian Daily Sun Newspaper this morning, and there was this story that fascinated me! It was the story that talked about the dream and aspiration of a young lad. Though, physically challenged, yet she’s got a resounding dream and that is to write the name of her country Nigeria in gold. Witani is a student of Open Door Special Education Centre, Jos, Nigeria; she is 17 years old and an athlete!
Witani was one of the 24 physically challenged athletes that were sent to represent Nigeria in the on-going Special Olympic World Summer Games in Shangai, China. The Olympic is expected to end on the 11th of October, 2007. She believes that she has trained so hard that she would be able to write Nigeria’s name in gold in the table tennis event at the games. Tennis is a game I love most”.She won the National championship held in Lagos. “I went there, played my best game and came out victorious” she said
She decried the attitude of some parents who dehumanize their intellectually challenged children by locking them up in the room and urged such parents to see people with this disability as normal persons and give them the opportunity to prove their worth.
Her Dream:
“My dream is to win a gold medal for my country and I’m optimistic that I will conquer the WORLD in table tennis. It would be tough, that I know. But, by the special grace of Almighty God, whom I serve, I will definitely make it. I am going to defeat my opponents” she stated. I told myself that if I engaged in playing table tennis; it could be my destiny in life. Then, I pledged to continue in the sport until I win a gold medal for Nigeria to prove to my country men that there is ability in disability.”
As a youth, I've got this question for you. What is your purpose in life? What do your really aspire to become in the nearest future? Have you forsaken and downtrodden it because of the many challenges and discouragement? Don't you do that! You've got to start working towards it NOW! I mean NOW! Great Dreamers are great Achievers, cos when you dream BIG you achieve BIG. Never give room to failure anymore. You've got to rise up from your slumbering and Work towards that dream of yours.
Do you have a dream to rule the world like Martin Luthre Jnr?. . .Dream on!
Do you desire to be the best in your chosen field of study?. . .Dream on!!
Whatever might be your dream, I'm glad to tell you that there are still more rooms for great dreamers.All you've got to do is to remain ever focus on your dream, pray to God about it for directive and Work towards its actualization and before you know it. . . .You're already at the very top!
Don't forget to dream on and Never Give Up. The Sky is the Starting Point.
Dream Big, Think Big. . . Dream On.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Principles Of Success
1.THE PRINCIPLE OF THE OBJECTIVE. Clarity is essential. Set clear goals and objectives, and then develop a workable plan to attain them.
2.THE PRINCIPLE OF THE OFFENSIVE. Courage is crucial. Dare to go forward. Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative. Be a moving target.
3.THE PRINCIPLE OF THE MASS. Single-mindedness of purpose rules. Concentrate all efforts and powers on key targets.
4.THE PRINCIPLE OF MANEUVER. Flexibility is vital. Be willing to consider new options and different perspectives, and to change directions.
5.THE PRINCIPLE OF INTELLIGENCE. Get the facts. Learn as much as possible about a chosen field, and about the "enemy."
6.HE PRINCIPLE OF CONCERTED ACTION. Unify activities. Leverage the talents and skills of others.
7.THE PRINCIPLE OF UNITY OF COMMAND. Lead from the front. Take charge. Make decisive decisions, and accept responsibility for the outcome.
8.THE PRINCIPLE OF SIMPLICITY. Delegate, consolidate, outsource, or eliminate activities that do not contribute significant value to important goals.
9.THE PRINCIPLE OF SECURITY. Cover all bases. Be vigilant in protecting assets, and guarding against adversaries. Take nothing for granted.
10.THE PRINCIPLE OF ECONOMY. Conserve resources. Minimize costs. Seek ways to achieve objectives with minimal expenditure of money and time.
11.THE PRINCIPLE OF SURPRISE. Do the unexpected. Look for opportunities everywhere. Strive to gain the advantage before the "enemy" can react.
12.THE PRINCIPLE OF EXPLOITATION. Follow up and follow through.
Make a commitment to success, and never, never give up.
Adapted from VICTORY!: Applying the Principles of Military Strategy to Achieve Greater Success in Your Business and Personal Life by Brian Tracy
@Gbemisola
Thanks for your response and suggestions! I really appreciate it. God bless you.
@Larry
Thank you too for the comments you posted, It "humbled" me! It is well.
@ALL
I'm still working on the collection of the Success Stories, I promise to publish it as soon as I'm through! Thanks for been there and reading through my pages!
2.THE PRINCIPLE OF THE OFFENSIVE. Courage is crucial. Dare to go forward. Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative. Be a moving target.
3.THE PRINCIPLE OF THE MASS. Single-mindedness of purpose rules. Concentrate all efforts and powers on key targets.
4.THE PRINCIPLE OF MANEUVER. Flexibility is vital. Be willing to consider new options and different perspectives, and to change directions.
5.THE PRINCIPLE OF INTELLIGENCE. Get the facts. Learn as much as possible about a chosen field, and about the "enemy."
6.HE PRINCIPLE OF CONCERTED ACTION. Unify activities. Leverage the talents and skills of others.
7.THE PRINCIPLE OF UNITY OF COMMAND. Lead from the front. Take charge. Make decisive decisions, and accept responsibility for the outcome.
8.THE PRINCIPLE OF SIMPLICITY. Delegate, consolidate, outsource, or eliminate activities that do not contribute significant value to important goals.
9.THE PRINCIPLE OF SECURITY. Cover all bases. Be vigilant in protecting assets, and guarding against adversaries. Take nothing for granted.
10.THE PRINCIPLE OF ECONOMY. Conserve resources. Minimize costs. Seek ways to achieve objectives with minimal expenditure of money and time.
11.THE PRINCIPLE OF SURPRISE. Do the unexpected. Look for opportunities everywhere. Strive to gain the advantage before the "enemy" can react.
12.THE PRINCIPLE OF EXPLOITATION. Follow up and follow through.
Make a commitment to success, and never, never give up.
Adapted from VICTORY!: Applying the Principles of Military Strategy to Achieve Greater Success in Your Business and Personal Life by Brian Tracy
@Gbemisola
Thanks for your response and suggestions! I really appreciate it. God bless you.
@Larry
Thank you too for the comments you posted, It "humbled" me! It is well.
@ALL
I'm still working on the collection of the Success Stories, I promise to publish it as soon as I'm through! Thanks for been there and reading through my pages!
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