Traffic Situation in Owerri

For years now, Owerri Metropolis, the Imo State capital, usually gets locked up any time it rains heavily in the last few weeks as traffic grinds to a complete halt with vehicles and passengers trapped for up to 6 hours in the unprecedented chaotic traffic jams.

Within such periods, vehicles can neither enter, nor leave the city, the consequence being that workers, traders and others get to their homes as late as 11P.M, although ordinarily, they would have been home before 7P.M.

Some people partly blamed the traffic-control agencies who always abandon beats any time it rains although some people defended the traffic-control personnel that they were not issued with rain coats and other accessories to perform under the rain.

Some people also blamed the government that took over from the colonial rulers for not making serous efforts to construct new access roads in to owerri today are the one constructed by Douglas (the famous colonial administrator). The only road constructed within Owerri is the one begun by the formal Owerri local government chairman, and since he left office, work on that road has been abandon but if the road which links Owerri recreation club from Orji had been completed, that it would have reduced the traffic on Okigwe road.

Some people where on the opinion that construction of a road from Agbala to Wetheral Road with a bridge across the Otamiri River would decongest Owerri- Aba road.
Some people where also on the opinion of rehabilitation of Emekuku, Umualum, and MCC road bypass to ease traffic on Umuahia/Mbise road. While some people also suggested that the situation on Orlu/Amakohia/akwakuma road would improve, once the ongoing work on shoe-industry, Ihitte Mberi Ubomiri road is completed.

Lesson From the Beijing Olympics

At last, the 2008 Beijing, Olympics have ended in China after almost 18 days of active competition by the 205 nations that participated leaving behind it a lot of lessons and memories especially for the designated giant of Africa, Nigeria.

Nigeria was represented at the competition by 153 man Contingent comprising 90 athletes who competed in 10 sports accompanied by 63 officials. At the end of the championship, Nigeria won one silver and three bronze medals to become 61st on the overall medal table.

The just concluded Olympic apart from exposing the weaker part of Nigeria sports Administrators, went a long way in serving as an image maker for us. For instance, no Nigerian athlete was indicated out of the 4,500 tests conducted on athletes under the auspices of the international Olympic committee and the world anti doping agency.
On the other hand, our performance showed laxity in our preparation at all compartments of the games except on the male soccer (dream team IV).

The harsh weather under which our football team (dream team IV) played the final match with Argentina showed that the boys never acclimatized with the weather. The weather was too hot that FIFA and IOC (Organizing Body) decided to allow players two minutes in each half of the game to sip water to fight dehydration. Argentines were better exposed and that was an advantage for them.

Our boys were very good having played all their group preliminaries, and winning U.S.A, Japan, the Netherlands, Ivory Coast and Belgium in quarter and semi finals.
Our athletes were poorly prepared both collectively and individually and this could be traceable to inadequate preparation. For instance, in tennis, one of our athletes complained of inferior racket while one of our boxers was very uncomfortable with the sophistication of the floor of the ring he was using for the very first time.

Nigerian newly discovered track king crashed out of the 100 meters race second round heat while our women’s triple jumper leapt 13.19 meter to finish 16th out of a seventeen women event. Our women shot put star, who has dominated the event in Nigeria for almost a decade, did not go beyond the opening round of the event in China.
Our women football (super falcons) did not qualify from their group having lost all their games.

In my humble opinion, Nigeria’s preparation and participation at the just concluded Beijing Olympics in China was fraught with inadequacies.

Imo State University Technology Training at ODV

Effective partnerships are the cornerstone of YTF’s philosophy in our efforts to bridge the digital divide and at the same time create positive changes in the communities that we work with. Since the inception of YTF over 8 years ago, we have partnered with like-minded organizations and institutions to instill a digital acumen in young people.

YTF’s working relationship with Imo State University (IMSU) began in 2007. Since then, over 1000 young people have been trained at the Owerri Digital Village as a part of the YTF/IMSU partnership. Students enrolled in universities in Nigeria form a great part of tomorrow’s future and leadership and as such we cannot afford to ignore their potential.

190 students across several departments are currently enrolled in a four-week training programme at the Owerri Digital Village that began on August 18. The departments involved at Imo State University are the Department of Medicine and Surgery, Department of Law and Department of Industrial Microbiology. Through the training disseminated, the students had an opportunity to practice what they had been taught through some of their university level classes.

Mary Nwoke and Bethel Agonmo are 2 of the students enrolled in the IMSU training programme. They are both students of Medicine / Surgery at Imo State University. I had an opportunity to speak with both of the participants about their views on the training programme. Both of them were very pleased with the knowledge they acquired and look forward to using more technology in their school work and future careers as physicians.

Meet Maureen

Tell us about life in your hometown?

I grew up in Nkume, Njaba L.G.A of Imo State. In a community which is made up of retired civil servants and the aged. Life in Nkume seems a bit boring. The main source of income involves petty trading at the local market named “Afor Nkume”. There is restrained access to better living and quality education; literally, young able bodied men or women found living at Nkume are mostly taxi drivers ("okada"), young house wives, petty traders or peasant farmers. This is partly attributed to the level of backwardness, boredom, lack of social basic amenities and awareness on the part of this small rural community.


What roles do you think education and acquiring marketable skills play in the development of a country like Nigeria?

In the world today, certain features must have to be put into consideration before development can be achieved. These features include education and public awareness, advancement in technology, poverty eradications and other vital facets of life.

Education attracts a lot of dependency from the under- developed community which most of us as Nigerians are part of. On the other hand, it brings about facing positive challenges towards the future, ahead and the rigors of life in general. However, a marketable skill enhances the public and creates an avenue towards a positive society. A society that is free from backwardness, illiteracy, total dependence on government and other social menace.

Tell us about how you found out about opportunities at the Owerri Digital Village?

I have been with Youth for Technology Foundation and the Owerri Digital Village (ODV) now for over 2 years and the opportunities afforded me have been awesome. As a programme manager at the center, I am involved with recruiting students, training and providing career and mentoring services and support for the young people in the community.

What are some of your most fulfilling experiences as a programme manager at the Owerri Digital Village?
My experience as a programme manager at ODV has built on my belief that with hard work, determination and equal opportunities, everyone, regardless of social, cultural or religious background can achieve his or her dreams. With each of the youth that I interact with on a daily basis here at the center, I always emphasize that they maintain a positive attitude, thinking and good team spirit.

What do you see when you think about the future of ODV?
We intend getting approval from our Executive Director so as to continue in our participation with Imo State University and other local institutions of higher learning.

We also intend improving our awareness exercise to some other rural communities for the sole purpose of training.I see the future of ODV as a “Training Centre” capable of empowering the youth and the citizenry at large.


What have been some of the challenges at ODV?
The basic problem at the moment still remains that of the bottleneck syndrome.
This has always emanates in our visits to some public schools for the sole purpose of computer programme awareness, where permission are demanded from their principal instructing the members of my team to secure certain documents issued from Ministry of Education before commencement of our duties.

The thin line between volunteers both onsite and online needs to be beefed up, together with our contribution towards ongoing online conference.
This simply can be solved by either providing an internet connection at ODV or increasing our browsing rate per a length of time.

What do you enjoy doing, generally, outside of work?
I enjoy learning and receiving encouragement from other team players.
As a young lady, I choose to develop my career in spite of certain challenges and tasks for women in Nigeria, particularly women in technology. Outside of work, I like to watch good movies.

What is life like being a young educated woman in Nigeria?
Life as a young educated woman in Nigeria, and indeed in many developing countries across Africa is not easy. The role for women is often defined for us by the men in the community. I very much believe that "what a man can do a woman can do better”, and this is my platform against all odds.

Building Capacity - Visit to ICOY and Geodora Samaritans

Makuo Nkwo, program manager at the Owerri Digital Village, visited 2 NGO’s; Geodora Samaritans and International Community of Youths (ICOY) offices in Owerri Nigeria, to learn more about their work.

Makuo stated, “During the discussion, I was made to understand that the organization has existed in Owerri over 7 years ago and has been involved with youth and women empowerment, community development and wealth creation programs and initiatives”.

Makuo Nkwo was able to let them know about Owerri Digital Village programs, activities and how much YTF wants to contribute to the development of young people using Information and Communication Technology tools and methods. Makuo invited them to call on YTF whenever they need its input or support.

Meanwhile, the organization recently hosted the World Bank youth seminar for Imo State in February 2008. About 50 youth were in attendance and the seminar was meant to engage youth and empower them in the resolution to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by the year 2015.

Soccer Fiesta in Africa- African Cup of Nations -Ghana 2008

Just a few weeks after the Moslem Salah Festival, Christmas and New Year celebrations, more excitement is in the air all over Africa as the African Cup of Nations (Ghana 2008) begins on Sunday 21st January, 2008 in Ghana.

African Cup of Nation is the foremost Football tournament (festival, you may say) organized by the African Football governing body; Confederation of African Football (CAF) every 2 years. It is rotated from one country to the other.

The football tournament attracts African Football stars from different football clubs all over the world (not excluding foreign stars that come as spectators). Some of the African stars to watch include
• Kanu Nwankwo, Obafemi Martins, Obinna Nsofor and Dickson Etuhu (Nigeria)
• Samuel Eto, Old war horse Rigobeth Song (Cameroon)
• Didier Drogba, Toure, Eboue (Cote Voire)
• John Appiah, Kingston (Ghana)
• Santos (Tunisia)
• Elhadji diuf, Camara, Bouba diuf (Senegal)
• Mido and old war horse Hassan Hassan (Egypt)
• Steven Pienar (South Africa) and many other known and emerging African soccer stars.

A total of 16 teams from 16 countries of Africa are participating in the football tournament among whom are Nigeria, Ghana, Benin Republic, Cote de Voire, Senegal, South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, Zambia etc.

This year’s competition is holding in foremost gold coast of Africa, (Ghana). The favorites to lift the trophy are Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Egypt (defending champion) and Ghana (host).

YTF will keep you posted as the biggest drama in Africa for the year 2008 unfolds. For additional thoughts, you may contact makuo (at) youthfortechnology (dot) org

Welcoming 2008

Happy New Year from Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF).

Thank you for partnering with us in our efforts to become one of the most impactful organizations in the world.