Embrace entrepreneurship, Students urged

By Tope Templer Olaiya
Students in tertiary institutions across the country have been enjoined to explore every possible avenue that will make them self-reliant through development of a sound and virile entrepreneurship skill capable of sustaining them upon graduation.
This was the view of the Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Education, Dr. Elijah Olu Adewale, at the opening ceremony of the 5th Students Trade Fair at the University of Lagos Sports Complex last week.
Adewale, while extolling the virtues behind the initiatives of the organisers, Strands Communications Limited, said, if given the leadership opportunity, Nigerian youths could and would indeed successfully harness abundant resources of the nation to achieve socio-economic and political sovereignty.
“I am particularly delighted because of the inspiring efforts of the organisers of this event, who, I reliably gathered, are a group of students under the aegis of Strands Communications Limited.”
Adewale who was represented at the ceremony by the Director, Monitoring and Investigation, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Suleiman Ajayi, said in the wake of increased productivity in the country’s agricultural sector, opportunities in the industrial sector are to satisfy its food needs and thus valuable foreign exchange formerly used to import food could be used for investment to provide an industrial base for the diversification of the economy.
He said a young and growing population witnessing increased urbanisation and industrialisation as obtained in Lagos State are factors, which will bring about increased demand for products of the food and agro-allied sub-sector.
Earlier in his welcome address, Managing Director of the outfit, Alafia Gbadebo, said the flagship event of the company is held in Lagos every second week of February, to coincide with St. Valentine’s Day and has traditionally provided a reliable and cost-effective platform for domestic and national companies to launch new brands, trade, seek joint-ventures and test marketing. The fair ended yesterday, February 13.




Kefee, Jahdiel, Alfa Sule, others set for Shout Jam Tour 2010
BY TOPE TEMPLER OLAIYA
COME Tuesday, April 20, Shout Jam Tour, an itinerant gospel and inspirational music tour, will begin with the first concert scheduled to hold at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Shout Jam Tour was created to promote gospel music and musicians especially upcoming artistes, provide quality entertainment for the students of tertiary institutions across the nation, advocate against occultism, moral decadence and other social vices, and provide experiential engagement opportunities for youth brands.
The platform was launched in 2009 as Shout Tour Jam with RoofTop MCs and featured shows in the University of Ibadan, Redeemers’ University and Yaba College of Technology with RoofTop Mcs and Nikki Laoye, Laff’up, Shake Dem Up and Segun Dangote performing.
Consequent upon the success of the 2009 edition, Davidhosue Multimedia Limited, the promoter sof the tour, have unveiled plans for the 2010 edition.
According to the project’s spokesperson, Adenugba Oluwanishola, this edition will feature musical performances by a repertoire of artistes including Kefee of the Branama fame; Jahdiel; Tomiwa, third runner up 2009 MTN Project Fame West Africa; Praiz Adejo, who was second runner up; Simisola; Freeborn, Doyin Okiki, drama skits by Alfa Sule and dance repertoire by Shake Dem Up with a pre-concert trade show that features all the brands sponsoring the tour. The event would also incorporate performances by local artistes on each campus that the tour train would stop.
The tour will also feature shows in BOWEN University, Iwo, Osun State on Wednesday, April 31 after which the train moves to Redeemers’ University, Mowe, Ogun State on Thursday, April 29 for the third show in the series.
On May 6, it will be the turn of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State to host Kefee and the rest of the tour squad whilst the tour would wrap on June 3 with a heart pumping concert at the Main Auditorium of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.
The tour affords youth target brand a rare privilege to connect and share experiences with their targetted public on Nigerian campuses. Some brands that sponsored the 2009 edition included Tara Orekelewa, Cadbury Butter Mints, Facuade Luxury Clothiers, Cheerie Noodles, X2D, Swan Soft Drinks and Mr Biggs Restaurant.
There will be meet, greet, photographic and album signing sessions. Fans gets to have a first-hand experience of Kefee’s music as well as enjoy her new album, A piece of me, which include such hits as Kokoroko, Pure water, karoyovwe, Body guard, African Woman. Kefee came to limelight in 2005 when she debutted with Branama 1, which was produced by Alec Godwin. Jahdiel will also be on hand to thrill the audience with her magical voice.


Corps Members Donate Drums To NYSC
By ‘Fisayo Soyombo
CORPS members in Lagos State, under the aegis of National Youth Service Corps’ Community Development Service (CDS) have donated drums worth N126, 000 to the state Chapter of the scheme.
The donation was made last week, during a dance and drama ceremony at the NYSC Secretariat, in Surulere, Lagos.
Speaking during the ceremony, Adejimi Adekunle, CDS President of outgoing Batch A members, said he was happy that his Batch had successfully done something to improve service conditions of new corps members. “The outgoing Batch A and the present Batch B have combined resources to present this gift to the NYSC Secretariat and to fellow corps members. It is our small way of wishing them well in service life,” he said.
Speaking also, Henry Francis, President of the Drama Group (DG), said it was always his dream to see Lagos State win the yearly Director-General Dance and Musical Competition. “We always rent drums and other necessary instruments of preparation, whenever the competition is to hold. It is my belief that, since drums are now readily available, corps members can prepare adequately and they will sing the victory song soon.”
Mrs.Winifred Ebiera, CD Coordinator, while expressing delight at the presentation, said the corps members were truly living up to billing.
Receiving the gifts, alongside other NYSC officials, Mrs. Belinda Faniyi, Assistant Director, Common Services, Lagos State Secretariat, said she was happy that the CDS initiative of the scheme was yielding desired results.
“Community Development Service is a platform for corps members to make selfless contributions to the community they find themselves in. And by presenting these drums, the Dance and Cultural CD Group has contributed to the development of this community. So, we’re very happy that the whole CDS arrangement is not a waste of time,” said Faniyi.