http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/514143
The Youth Entrepreneurship awards come in 11 categories and winners will be issued an award plague, a certificate signed by our partner university and a N50, 000 cheque. The Awards will indeed honour individuals and institutions through the appreciation of innovative business process, business excellence and overall leadership success in entrepreneurship development, plus acknowledged publicly the vital contribution made by individuals and student led institutions to the vibrancy of young entrepreneurship in Nigeria . Indeed, this is the first of its kind.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Awards will attract Vice chancellors, Heads of Businesses, Student Union Governments, University student led associations, Youth organisations, Departmental heads and several youths across the country.

This year’s Youth Entrepreneurship Awards will be presented at a gala ceremony to be held on 21st November, 2008 at the Newcastle Hotels, Owerri, Imo State , South East, Nigeria . The aim is to make Youth Entrepreneurship Awards an annual event in Nigeria.

The event is an initiative of the London based Withworth Entreprenueship Consultancy.

Award Categories


Youth Ambassador for Entrepreneurship Development Award

This award will go the outstanding individual who has best demonstrated exceptional selfless commitment to the development of entrepreneurship in the community and Nigeria . The judges will be looking for evidence of how the individual has significantly improved the awareness of entrepreneurship in the nation.

Age limit: 30 years and under Cash Amount: N50, 000



Award for Excellence in Enterprise development services

This award will go to the organisation that can best demonstrate that it has strongly invested in developing and raising young entrepreneurs in Nigeria . The application can be based on the development of a specific project.

Cash Amount: N50, 000



Student Company of the Year Award

This award will go to the student company that can best demonstrate innovativeness, strong growth and firm prove that it was started and being run by a student or inside an institution.

Age limit: 30 years and under Cash Amount: N50, 000



Entrepreneurship Lifetime Achievement Award

This award will go to the individual who has contributed enormously to the growth of entrepreneurship and is a role model for young upcoming entrepreneurs in Nigeria .

Age limit: 45 yrs and above Cash Amount: N50, 000



Rising Entrepreneurial Institution Award

This award will go to an institution that can best demonstrate that its approach to learning is innovative and maintains a high focus on entrepreneurship development within the academic environment.

Cash Amount: N50, 000


Best Supporting Media on Entrepreneurship Award

This award will go to the best media outfit that has demonstrated total commitment to the promotion of entrepreneurship learning and awareness in Nigeria .



Aspiring Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Merit Award

This award will go to a student who has demonstrated that he or she has an outstanding skill to develop a good business upon graduation. This will be based on previous business skill achievements.

Age limit: up to 25 years Cash Amount: N50, 000



Outstanding Contribution to Entrepreneurship Development Award

This award will go to the individual or organisation that has shown they can bring about change in the lives of young people through entrepreneurship activities. This can be based on numerous projects and commitments.

Individual/Organisation: Any Cash Amount: N50, 000



Young Creative Entrepreneur of the Year Award

This award will specifically recognise the most talented youth or youth group in Nigeria . Be it in music, sports or business. This award will connect young creative entrepreneurs in Nigeria with emerging investors.

Age limit: 30 years and under Cash Amount: N50, 000



Best Supporting Company on University Entrepreneurship Education Campaign Award

This award will go to the company that has demonstrated continuous support for enterprise education in our institutions.



Best Supporting Youth Bank of the Year Award

This prestigious award goes to the best bank which has invested in the improvement of basic learning conditions in our academic institutions.




Nomination Procedures


Nomination is open to all. Prospective awardees can nominate themselves.

Simply nominate a qualified person and send the details under any category of awards via

Email: yea2008@ymail.com or Text details to 08054409005.

Nomination Submission ends November 5th 2008.

Finalist will be notified before or on November 10th, 2008

Admission is free and there will be a full feast however will encourage participants to register online here for a secured seat as seats might be limited. Or contact the Award team on

08082180513, 08062725951, 08037105484, 08039548256, 08036903696, 07031541543

For Details

withworthfutunes@yahoo.com

http://www.entrepreneurshipevents.com/YouthEvent1.aspx ]]> Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:02:00 EDT http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/514143 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/354581
About Xabbel

Xabbel is a normal search engine like any other search engine. It gives the same output as the other search engines, the special thing about it is that we donate 100% of our earnings to social projects.

The Xabbel search are run by a German charity foundation which is, according to German law, not allowed to make any profits. The organization was founded by the German Christian Kroll, but nowadays there are also many other helpers working for Xabbel.

We want to make sure that the money we earn really goes to the people who need it desperately. Unfortunately this is not so easy. Wherever there is money, there is also a lot of corruption and nepotism going on. To make sure that the money goes to the right pockets, we constantly monitor the projects we finance.

We are exclusively investing into projects which are sustainable, transparent and politically independent. The projects we support have to serve one of these purposes:

* Education
* Development aid
* Equality of rights
* Health care
* Environmental and animal protection
* Promotion of human rights

Because of the fact, that we have not earned so much money yet we are currently financing only a few small projects.

So how you can help Xabbel is, the more people use Xabbel as their search engine, the more money we earn. Hence YOU can help us a lot by simply telling your friends about Xabbel. So please spread the word.

Projects that we are currently engaged in:

1.Medication for Rudra Prasad Amagain
2.Support For Woman Education Center
3.School Fee For Sonam
4.Surgery Of Anita Shrestha

Start you change making search NOW www.xabbel.com
]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:26:00 EDT http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/354581 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/346323
Through partnerships between universities in the United States and Europe and business schools in emerging and developing countries, the 10,000 Women initiative is designed to help dis advantaged women earn business and management certificates.

The partnerships will support flexible, short-term programs for women whose financial and practical circumstances prevent them from receiving a traditional business education. A select number of MBA and BA degrees will also be conferred.

In addition to funding tuition for business and management edu cation, 10,000 Women will work with development organizations to better understand the local challenges girls and young women must overcome in order to realize economic opportunity and achieve their full potential. The initiative will also focus on building capacity by developing curricula, creating local case study models, improving the level of faculty training and exper- tise, and training faculty.

The initiative, which has been in development for more than a year, was inspired by economic research from Goldman Sachs that showed the powerful effects of greater labor force participation of women on economies and societies. In coming months, the firm plans to announce additional partnerships that will provide more business and management education for disadvantaged women in the United States.

“Those of us who champion open markets must also do our part to create more opportunity to ensure economic growth is more broadly shared,” said Goldman Sachs chairman and CEO Lloyd C. Blankfein.

“10,000 Women focuses on a critical, yet often overlooked area where we believe Goldman Sachs can use its resources and conven- ing power to help build the foundation to expand the ranks of businesswomen, managers, and entrepreneurs around the world.”

What is 10,000 Women?

Expanding the entrepreneurial talent and managerial pool in developing and emerging economies – especially among women – is one of the most important means to reducing inequality and ensuring more shared economic growth.

Launched by Goldman Sachs, 10,000 Women is a global initiative that will:

* Increase the number of underserved women receiving a business and management education
* Improve the quality and capacity of business and management education around the world

10,000 Women has six components:

* 10,000 Women Over Five Years Will Receive a Business and Management Education: Over the next five years, Goldman Sachs will support partnerships with universities and development organizations that will lead to 10,000 women receiving a business and management education. The initial partnerships will fund business and management education certificates in countries around the world. These innovative certificate programs are pragmatic, flexible and shorter term and will help open doors for thousands of women whose financial and practical circumstances prevent them from ever receiving a traditional business education. These programs will provide women with the opportunity to develop specific skills, such as drafting a business plan, accounting, public speaking, marketing, management and accessing capital. There will also be a select number of MBA and BA scholarships funded.

* Build Quality and Capacity Through Global Business Sister School Partnerships: To strengthen the quality and capacity of business schools in developing nations, Goldman Sachs will support new partnerships between business schools and universities in the United States and Europe and business schools in developing and emerging economies. Through these partnerships, the schools will collaborate to train professors, exchange faculty, develop curriculum and create local case study material.

* Establish Mentoring and Post-Graduation Support for Women Entrepreneurs: In addition to funding tuition for business and management education, 10,000 Women will seek to establish mentoring and networking channels for women and to encourage career development opportunities that will extend the benefits of the program beyond the classroom, leveraging the overall impact of their educational experience.

* Work with Leading Research and Women’s Development Organizations: Many outstanding organizations are working on the ground to give girls, young women and potential entrepreneurs a sense of their future potential. 10,000 Women will work with these organizations to better understand the local challenges these girls and women must overcome so more of them can ultimately realize their potential through access to greater economic opportunity.

* Develop Partnerships in the United States to Help Disadvantaged Women: As part of 10,000 Women, Goldman Sachs will establish parallel programs and partnerships to provide more business and management education for disadvantaged women in the United States.

* Commit $100 Million in Addition to the Time and Dedication of Goldman Sachs People: Goldman Sachs will commit $100 million over the next five years to 10,000 Women. In addition, the people of Goldman Sachs will contribute their time and expertise through classroom instruction and mentoring.

http://www.10000women.org/what.html

More Opportunities visit http://www.youthactors.ning.com ]]> Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:09:00 EDT http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/346323 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/331957


This online programme is designed to improve Internet governance (IG) related knowledge and skills for participants mainly from developing countries and to facilitate community-building among individuals with different national, cultural, and professional backgrounds.

For details of this Programme and how to apply visit

http://www.diplomacy.edu/ig/Activities/display.asp?Topic=Call
]]> Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:49:00 EST http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/331957 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/330579
Do you have an entrepreneurial or innovative idea that is locally-driven and has great potential to contribute to sustainable development in developing countries? Are you finding new ways of simultaneously improving incomes and strengthening livelihoods; tackling poverty and marginalisation; and managing and conserving natural resources and ecosystems? Are you planning or in the early stages of implementing a new concept that brings together people and organizations from different backgrounds to work in partnership together?

Do you need support to become established and to increase your impact?

Then apply for "The 2008 SEED Awards for Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Development" before 16th March 2008. Application forms can be filled in online or downloaded from the SEED Initiative website at http://www.seedinit.org



SEED Award Winners receive a tailored package of support services, worth US $25,000, including access to relevant expertise and technical assistance, developing business plans and identifying sources of finance.


For other opportunities visit www.youthactors.ning.com

Regards
Timothy Ogene]]> Mon, 04 Feb 2008 07:05:00 EST http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/330579 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/327269
* DIGITAL STORY TELLING happens when people of all ages and experience make an emotional connection with others through using a blend of digital devices in the sharing of stories from their lives or imagination. This new form of storytelling is emerging with the arrival of more accessible media production techniques using computers, digital cameras, video recorders and software. Stories can be shared over the Internet in the form of pictures, video, animation, websites, blogs, podcasts, vidcasts and more.

* COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT is about opening new channels of opportunity and empowerment that encourage people to participate in the issues that affect their lives.

In February 2008, we plan to launch E-GLO (Earth Charter Global Learning Opportunity), a 4 month, online, digital story telling and community leadership training inspired by the Earth Charter.

e-GLO will be offered to 20-30 youth aged 15 - 30 who are motivated community development project planners and socially conscious artists from around the world. Participants will meet online via webcam and mic in e-GLO’s own virtual conference environment. The online sessions will happen every other weekend for a period of two hours and will include networking, workshops, interviews with expert guests, cultural performances, participant presentations celebrating local projects and e-GLO collaborative projects, as well as a live interactive multi-media event open to the global public.

Join us!
Coming February 2008

Application form here:
http://www.earthcharterinaction.org/youth/2006/06/eglo.html]]> Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:39:00 EST http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/327269 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/327267
Are You young, Are You a citizen, Are you a Nigerian?
Government policies and programs affect you in different ways.
You vote counts during elections, someone has to listen to you!
Here is a chance to make your voice heard on issues that affect youths.

Join the Nigeria Youth E- Forum 2008, for online discussions on :
1.) The 7 point agenda of the present government
2.) Nigeria Youth Policy document.
3.) National budgets and funding of youth development etc

The Nigeria Youth E-Forum is our platform. We own it, get involved and be heard!
The month long e-forum will run from January 28th, to February 22nd 2008.
Outstanding contributors will be recognised weekly.
At the end of the Youth E-Forum, a stakeholders meeting involving youths from all states of Nigeria will convene in Abuja to continue the process of enagement.

Who can participate: Young Nigerians between 18 -35 living within and outside Nigeria are eligible to participate.

For more information.
Email: info@youngstarsfoundation.org
Web: www.britishcouncil. org/nigeria
www.youngstarsfound ation.org
]]> Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:37:00 EST http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/327267 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/317895 18th-19th January 2008
Theme: Exploring the Potential of Youths in Development.
Venue:People's Club,Beside Lone Palm Hotel Ezenei Avenue,Asaba,Delta State

Background

Following the upsurge of violence and criminal behavior in the Niger Delta, it has become common knowledge that young people in this area are prone to violence. By extension, they are no-do-wells and as such cannot play meaningful role in the sustainable development of the region. Contrary to this school of thought ,there are lots of young people in this part of the country that are leading change both at the local, national and international scene.

A nation or community that do not have concrete youth empowerment strategies is headed for disaster. However, until today’s leaders realize the potentials of young people as change agents; they may not pay urgent attention to youth inclusion and empowerment as a tool for sustainable development.

The purpose of this SUMMIT is to create a far reaching awareness of the potentials of young people as key players in the growth and development of Delta State and to advocate for youth inclusion in governance. By so doing, the state is indirectly creating a new generation of leaders who will strategically position the state in the scheme of things.

The upcoming event will also create a platform for young Deltans at home and in Diaspora to network, share ideas, opportunities and best practices that will move that state forward. Here we can synergize and collaborate to run change projects for the sustainable development of the state.

Summit Focus Areas

This year’s Delta Youth Summit will focus on the state governments three point agenda, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS), the State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (SEEDS) and ICT.

Lead Organization

The Delta Change network a registered youth-led non-profit, non-partisan and non-governmental organization committed to promoting unity, peace, development is behind the First Delta Youth Summit.


Participants/Audience

Young Deltans between the ages of 15-35.

Method of Application

Application forms can be completed online or to request an application form, send an e-mail with the subject “Summit Application” to timmybrowni@yahoo.com

Features

WORKING GROUP SESSIONS

Working Group Sessions centered of the state governments three point agenda and the State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy. Each group is headed by a young person with considerable experience in the area being discussed. Each group putts together a draft of proceedings and a member is nominated to present it.
-Working Groups
Environment
Health
Infrastructural Development
Entrepreneurship and Manpower development
Peace and Conflict Resolution
Politics and Governance
Gender and human rights
Information and Communication Technology for Development(ICT4D)

PAPER PRESENTATIONS

Experienced individuals in the key themes will be invited to present papers at the event.
Environmental Sustainability-Friends of the Earth Nigeria/Environmental Rights Action
Health/HIV/AIDS
MDG’S
Youth-
Governance

PANEL SESSIONS

There will be panel sessions to critically brainstorm on issues being presented. This will give way for interaction to ensure everybody is carried along. Each panel comes up immediately after each paper presentation.


SPECIAL WORKSOPSS
Special Workshops on LEADERSHIP, ADVOCACY, CONFLICT RESOLUTION and the RULE OF LAW shall be organized. It is important to note that participants are mandated to partake in one.

AWARDS
Awards will be presented to outstanding young Deltans who are leading change and contributing to development.

SOCIAL NETWORKING AND EXHIBITION

One special feature at the event is the opportunity to present your ideas, projects and organization to all in attendance. This will come up on the second day of the event.

CONFERENCE REPORTS

At the end of the Summit, a Declaration to contains the position of young people on good governance and sustainable development to be tagged “the Asaba Youth Declaration” will be forward to the state government through the State Ministries of Youth Affairs and Information respectively.


For details and for accomodation and direction call Timmy on 08067998880]]> Sat, 29 Dec 2007 11:25:00 EST http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/317895 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/305885
I’m excited to share this piece of information below with you! For the past few days, I have been sharing ideas with Prof. Michael Nwanze of Howard University on the upcoming Model African Union taking place next February in Howard and the possibility of hosting the Model AU here in Africa.

The Model African Union is essentially a simulation of the proceedings of the African Union. It provides a unique opportunity for university and college students to study the role, structure and performance of the African Union in the search for solutions to key economic, social, and political-security issues facing the African continent. Through simulation, augmented by briefings at African Embassies in Washington , D.C. , participants gain a better and clearer understanding of the multi-various determinants, capabilities and constraints that shape the domestic and foreign policies of African countries as well as the patterns of cooperation and conflict that characterize intra-African diplomacy.

Upon registration, delegates receive preparatory material which includes the Constitutive Act of the African Union; country-profile (provided by the Embassy); the Delegation and Officers Handbook and a Faculty Advisors Handbook. The handbooks include the schedule of events, the agenda and Rules of the Model.

Objectives

The National Model is designed to:

1. Increase awareness of the role, organization, and performance of the African Union;
2. Highlight key economic, social and political-security issues facing the African continent;
3. Demonstrate the patterns of cooperation and conflict between the A.U. and the United Nations;
4. Generate understanding of the multi-various determinants, capabilities and constraints that shape the foreign policies of member states of the African Union;
5. Demonstrate the patterns of cooperation and conflict characterizing intra-African diplomacy in the search for solutions to regional issues;
6. Highlight the impact of major power global policies on economic, social and political-security issues facing the African continent as well as attempts to influence the policies of major powers in matters of common concern.


Call for ideas and comments

At the moment, Prof. Nwanze who has been coordinating this project for 29 years,is considering to run it here in Africa so young Africans can participate.

What do you think about this idea?

Send your comments to timmybrowni@yahoo.com

Thanks
Timothy Ogene

Read More here www.modelafricanunion.org
]]> Sat, 08 Dec 2007 05:55:00 EST http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/305885 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/281253
See Details here www.youthactors.ning.com]]> Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:34:00 EST http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/281253 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/279005
Let me introduce you to this great Network I joined a few months ago!

Take a short while to read what the creators said;

Network 2012 is a social enterprise with a social inclusion agenda.
It was set up to facilitate and encourage the growth of social
enterprise and to provide bursaries through membership fees for start up social
enterprises. A large proportion of these bursaries will go towards
start up social enterprises from traditionally disadvantaged groups within
our society as a way of harnessing All of our creative and
entrepreneurial talent. This is the purpose of this site and it is our hope that by
becoming a member you will not only be contributing to your own
business and personal growth but to the enhanced growth of social enterprise
itself through our proposed bursaries.

As individuals we have a history of working in the homeless sector for
various charities and we understand full well the frustrations for
charities repeatedly going cap in hand to various different funding bodies
in order to continue their vital work.

These frustrations have been our original motivating factors and one
of the reasons Network2012 has come about. How much better would it be
for charities if they could sustain themselves through their own
business endeavours with the profits contributing to the services they
provide?

The vision of Network 2012 is to see the needs of different
communities met by the communities themselves and the businesses they create and
manage.


Ok.It may interest you to know that Network2012 is one of the newest
and fastest growing network of social entrepreneurs and change
leaders.And it is a unique platform to promote your projects and connect with
potential partners and mentors.


Visit www.network2012.net to check it out and join.
You can also join the Nigerian club at
http://www.network2012.net/community/clubs/naija/ there are other
clubs you will enjoy.

]]> Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:20:00 EST http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/279005 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/244813 How to Enter the First Annual Development Gateway Foundation Photo Contest


WHO: The Development Gateway Foundation photo competition is open to ALL photographers at least 18 years of age, except employees of the foundation and their immediate families. Your entry to the contest constitutes your agreement to allow your photograph, name, occupation, city and state of residence, to be published as the selected award winner; published or used on the foundation Web sites; and used for the promotion of the foundation including, but not limited to, Web pages, brochures, fact sheets, and other materials. Entrants retain ownership and all other rights to future use of their photographs. The Development Gateway Foundation shall have the right to verify, in its sole judgment, winner eligibility.

WHAT: We are looking for compelling photographs of socio-economic development in developing countries. Four types of photographs will be accepted. 1) The images may show information and communications technologies helping ordinary people. 2) The images may show people making something, selling wares, working in a field, constructing a building or type of infrastructure, or acquiring knowledge. 3) The images could be abstract images representing hope, the future, or capacity building. 4) The photographs may also include images of original artwork from a developing country. Please do not include photographs of groups of people posing.

Each entry must include a written statement explaining how that image is representative of development. Images will be judged on technical excellence, composition, overall impact, and artistic merit.

Entrants must not infringe on the rights of any other photographer or person.

WHEN: Deadline for submitting entries is September 21, 2007.

The top 10 photographs will be posted on the Development Gateway Foundation Web site. All visitors to the site will be able to vote once.

The voting will begin at 12:01 a.m. on October 1 and end at 11:59 on October 8. The winner will be announced on October 9.

Prize: $500.00

Individuals living within the United States will receive the prize as a check by the mail. Individuals living outside the United States will receive the prize as a wire transfer. In this case, the winner must provide information on his or her bank account.

HOW: Each participant may submit up to 3 photographs total. Each digital photograph must be uploaded to the foundation server. Original files of camera-made digital photos must be no larger than three megapixels (3 mb). Acceptable photo formats are TIFF, JPEG, GIF or BMP.

Complete entry form and submit digital images at www.dgfoundation.org/news-events/photo-contest/entry-form.html

Questions and inquiries can be e-mailed to photocontest@dgfoundation.org.
]]> Fri, 31 Aug 2007 05:06:00 EDT http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/244813 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/239195

The University of Pretoria welcomes you to the 8th International Conference on Human Choice and Computers (HCC8) which will be held in Pretoria, South Africa from 25 to 27 September 2008.
The theme for this year's conference is Social dimensions of ICT policy.

Policy plays a major role in the advancement of ICT and the shaping ICT-mediated socio-economic practice. it also provides mechanisms for addressing potentially undesirable effects of ICT innovation and influences ethical conduct in modern society.

This conference is intended to explore the theoretical justification of policy action concerning ICT and socio-economic change and to discuss particular policies through which various institutions of contemporary governance have sought to promote ICT, to achieve specific socio-economic changes, or to address undesirable effects of ICT diffusion in contemporary society.

Read more here http://www.hcc8.org/

join http://youthactors.ning.com



]]> Sat, 04 Aug 2007 06:19:00 EDT http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/239195 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/234947
The i-genius summit is bringing the most creative and innovative social entrepreneurs from around the world together with leaders in government, business investors and NGOs to participate in a unique event.

The summit will be highly original in its concept, format and design – where social entrepreneurs will lead the programme of activities. Focusing on the four themes of:

*Opportunities for social entrepreneurs in a changing world
*Communications and media
*Network and partnership building
*Funding

The summit is a fantastic opportunity to develop your ideas, be part of stimulating social change, meet great people and form partnerships with other social entrepreneurs, corporations, agencies, and media organisations. We will also be launching the ‘i-genius award’ at our Gala dinner, for the most inspiring social entrepreneur within our community.

The conference will be held at the superb 5 star Indigo Pearl resort, which not only provides us with a stunning and inspiring venue, but is also eco-friendly, consistent with our desire to run an ethical event.

Our ethos is to create a place to meet amazing people and form strong partnerships, and to host an event where the participants create the energy to make great things happen.

To receive a copy of our brochure, which outlines programme details and participant fees, please contact team@i-genius.org or click here to download your copy (please note: the document is large and may take a short while to download).

To register for the summit, please go to http://igeniusworldsummit.eventbrite.com

Join the I-Genius community at http://igenius.com]]> Sat, 21 Jul 2007 06:33:00 EDT http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/234947 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/233789
It provides a platform for sharing ideas and best practices on how to better advoctae for sustainable development and youth empowerment.

Join YAP4D at http://youthactors.ning.com/ and share ideas with fellow bright minds]]> Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:10:00 EDT http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/233789 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/225235 If you have ever heard the Nigerian national anthem,you will agree with me that the line that draws more patriotic emotions is "the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain...". That line is so powerful it trigger a whole new dimension of patriotism.

Sometimes i wonder if we keep to that line.How many of our past heroes are still honoured?.Instead we celebrate "zeroes" who loot our treasury and but us in trouble.

Well,i want to make a reccomendation, that we re-write the national anthem.That popular line should be replaced with this one "the terrors of our leaders past shall all be in vain".We want to move forward, so any leader who is dragging backwards should step aside .

I pray they honour me for re-writing the anthem (the man that wrote the last one...i dont even know his name but i know the names of the popular politicians that appears all the time in newspapers making empty promises)

I look forward to a time when there will be national holidayS for Nigerians who have contributed to the growth and development of Nigeria in different ways and sectors.This will motivate younger Nigerians to aspire...to work for their country...to respect Nigeria and make her proud.

I love Nigeria]]> Sat, 30 Jun 2007 06:58:00 EDT http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/225235 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/223803
i-genius helps people promote what they are doing, their work, their ideas, their passion – and through our community, enables them to connect with others.

In our community we seek to stimulate fresh thinking and bright ideas, and inspire a new generation to become 'social entrepreneurs'. Social entrepreneurs are individuals who create or develop businesses (whether commercial or not for profit) where the primary focus is on social change.

i-genius also seeks to stimulate partnerships between our members and to support them by developing partnerships with established organisations (corporations, NGOs, government, media).

If have an idea or passion that you hope will be of benefit to others and the world we live in, we welcome you to join i-genius.

come on you are a genius...visist the link below

http://www.i-genius.com

]]> Wed, 27 Jun 2007 07:10:00 EDT http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/223803 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/222843 Join young people from all religions, cultures and countries and use photography to share your passions and frustrations with us and the rest of the world.

What is it?

Shoot Nations is a free global youth photography competition to get young people to document what matters to them, what's right and what's wrong in their world and how to make a difference.

Take a look at the decisions that affect your life and show us what you think about Power and participation.

There are fabulous Prizes to be won and the results will be presented to the United Nations, the highest level of global government. Your photos and drawings could be exhibited in selected major cities around the world to celebrate International Youth Day on Sunday 12th August 2007.

Shoot Nations is open to all young people - YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A PHOTOGRAPHER - prizes are awarded for photographs that capture something special and stand out from the rest...

In 2006 thirty countries took part - join up today, tell your friends, let us make Shoot Nations 2007 the biggest youth photography project yet.


For Details click on the link below
http://www.shootnations.org/
]]> Sun, 24 Jun 2007 15:07:00 EDT http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/222843 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/222077
Chinua Achebe started his career a long time ago…before Nigeria gained her independence.He was one of those intellectuals like the nobel Laureates Wole Soyinka, who stood agains military dictatoraship and curruption in the political class.

Hard work pays. Professor Achebe has been writing for about 50 year, although he has not been awarded the Nobel Prize for literature, I think his contribution, not only to the literary world, but to the soci-political development of Nigeria, is one that will be remembered for as long as world exist.

I want to assure Professor Achebe that though “things fall apart” and we are “No Longer At Ease” Nigeria will rise to her challenges. The future is bright for Nigeria.

If I were Chinua Achebe, I will continue to preach the sermon of change and still believe in my country Nigeria. “I know you do Prof. No wonder you rejected the national award given you by the Obansanjo administration, you wanted something more than national honor, what’s honor when there are thousands of people out there who are “no longer at ease…” in his last interview with the BBC i saw that Prof .Achebe still believes in the new Nigeria.

If I were Chinua Achebe, I will use a part of the 60,000 pound to start-up a fund that will support young writer in Nigeria, especially those below the age of 30 in rural communities without access to good learing facilities.


Wherever you are around the world, celebrate this great man that has distinguished himself.

“Nothing succeeds like success”

check out more info here:
www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2101414,00.html - 38k –

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6745609.stm - 38k - 20 Jun 2007 -

]]> Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:56:00 EDT http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/222077 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/221365 A leading Nigerian inventor, Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu has successfully designed what looks like the electric motor that runs without gas.

In a statement, Dr. Izuogu said the electric motor was built on the application of two laws of Emagnetodynamics.
"It is the result of 31 years hard work and research by the author (Izuogu). Hitherto, the conventional electric motor has been built on one engineering theory. Force is exerted on a current carrying conductor in a magnetic field, "he explained.

Izuogu, a former governorship candidate in Imo State said his contribution to expansion of scientific knowledge would be better appreciated if one consider that the world spends billions of dollars on researches on alternative energy sources.

"Consequently, automobile companies around the world spend more billions, trying to build the electric car that will run without gas. Though good progress has been made here, the problem is yet to be solved. Emagnetodynamics comes to rescue, "Izuogu noted.

Izuogu, however, clarified that he had not built the electric motor yet "because of magnetic screening constraints which have to be overcome. But the design is as good, a perfect proof of the theory as any engineering design would be, all things being equal."

He further explained "the author's designs have such great details that anyone skilled in physics and engineering can go ahead and build the physical model for himself."

Dr. Izuogu, who was a former Travelling secretary of Scripture Union (SU) in Benin City has, however, issued a word of caution on his invention.

Said he "the inventor is conscious of the fact that this self-sustaining machine does seem to violate the age-old and hitherto proven law of conversation of energy. For this reason, he has been very reluctant to publish his findings. But then experts in physics are of the opinion that his views and findings be published, especially as they are verifiable in a standard laboratory. Let scientists around the world draw their conclusions."

Throwing ore light on his design, the Imo State born engineer said two laws of Emagne to dynamics he used stated that "a suspended composite magnetic pole will rotate in a certain direction, if placed in the vicinity of an array of like poles of magnets" while the second law said that "the direction of rotation is that of the composite similar to the array.

The Emagnetodynmics machine also attracts two versions: non-self sustaining and self-sustaining machine.

In the non-self sustaining machine, like the conventional electric motor, it runs off mains electric source or battery while the self-sustaining machine uses energy tapped from its feedback generator to run itself.

"It boils down to explaining the Atomic energy stored in permanent magnets, a phenomenon hitherto unknown to science," said Izuegu adding "the effects of a machine that runs without currency are enormous and have great implications of man."

Dr Izuogu, an electrical-electronics engineer was a former lecturer in Communications and electronics engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Owerri, Nigeria.

Dr. Izuogu started Radiolabs INC about 25 years ago to manufacture over 500 different types of scientific equipment and gadgets used in schools in Africa.
His major breakthrough was the design and construction of the first ever locally made automobile in Africa.

The four door low prized automobile is dubbed Z-600.
Recently, he patented another innovative product, the Ucle Zee Basic Science kit to teach teenagers to be inventors.

source http://allafrica.com/stories/200706110896.html]]> Thu, 21 Jun 2007 08:21:00 EDT http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/221365 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/217897 15 May 2007

New York, USA – Building on its existing broad-scale community affairs and development efforts in Africa, Microsoft has announced a partnership with the International Youth Foundation (IYF) to enhance sustainable youth employment opportunities in Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and Tanzania.

This partnership is part of Microsoft® Unlimited Potential, a long-term commitment to use technology, training and partnerships to transform education, foster local innovation, and enable jobs and opportunities to sustain a continuous cycle of social and economic growth for the estimated 5 billion people who are not yet realizing the benefits of technology.

Modelled on the IYF’s umbrella programme ‘Entra 21,’ the partnership will focus on a Youth Empowerment Programme, which aims to improve the employability prospects of disadvantaged African youth, ages 16-35, through targeted high quality Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and other skills training. Over the past five years, ‘Entra 21’ has provided employability training and job placement assistance to 20,000 youth in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The consequences of youth unemployment in Africa are severe. The implementation of the Youth Empowerment Programme, which in its initial stages aims to reach 40,000 young people, offers an opportunity to cohesively link together public-private-civil society partners to address youth unemployment.

According to Orlando Ayala, senior vice president of the Microsoft Emerging Segments Market Development Group, “To enable sustained economic growth, it is imperative to accelerate skills development and help employers find qualified candidates. Sub-Saharan Africa is facing an untenable situation as one-in-five young people are unemployed.”

Supported by a $1million grant, technology and training expertise from Microsoft, the programme aims to develop tailor-made solutions to identified needs in local markets and combine ICT training with life-skills and entrepreneurship training that match the real-world demand of local markets. Participants will also receive training in general employability skills, such as teamwork, conflict resolution and communication.

It is estimated that 70% of the trained beneficiaries from these targeted programmes will go on to participate in internships, be placed in jobs, gain income-generating self employments, or engage in voluntary community service.

Announcing the partnership, CEO and President of IYF, William S. Reese said, ”We look forward to working with Microsoft to adapt one of our already successful employability programmes to the needs of young people in Africa and to share best practices that we’ve gained in this critical field of youth employment.” Microsoft and IYF have been partners since 2000, working together to promote youth employability and education initiatives in Asia, Latin America, and North Africa.

As part of its commitment to this current effort, IYF will provide technical assistance on project design, labour market assessments, curriculum review, monitoring and evaluation and material development for the organizations that are delivering the programmes on the ground.

Concluding, Ayala added that, “Youth empowerment, skills development, and capacity building help enable sustained economic and social opportunity and are at the heart of Microsoft Unlimited Potential. This partnership with the IYF to improve the job prospects and income-generating opportunities for Africa’s youth is extremely important and Microsoft welcomes the opportunity to work with an organisation such as IYF on this initiative.’
###

About Microsoft Corporation
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Microsoft opened its Dubai-based Middle East office in 1991. Microsoft today has five subsidiaries in the Middle East region: Microsoft South Gulf which oversees Microsoft activities in the UAE, Oman, Yemen and Pakistan, Microsoft North Gulf which oversees Microsoft activities in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, Microsoft Arabia covering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Microsoft East Med covering , Lebanon, Jordan, Cyprus and Malta and Microsoft Egypt. Microsoft Corporation's address on the World Wide Web is: www.microsoft.com Microsoft Middle East's Web site is: www.microsoft.com/middleeast

About Unlimited Potential
Microsoft Unlimited Potential expands and accelerates Microsoft’s commitment to facilitate sustained social and economic opportunity for the more than 5 billion people living in every country around the world who do not today benefit from technology. For more information, please visit: http://www.microsoft.com/unlimitedpotential

About the International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation is a global non-profit organization uniquely dedicated to preparing young people to be healthy, productive, and engaged citizens. Founded in 1990, IYF’s worldwide network of partner organizations has grown to 70 countries, helping young people to shape their futures through proven programs that tie education to work, improve employability, and enable and inspire them to play a positive role in their communities. IYF collaborates with businesses, governments and civil society organizations to build effective, and sustainable programs that positively impact the lives of young people worldwide. For more information, please visit: http://www.iyfnet.org

Microsoft Contact
Adrian Wainwright
PR Manager West, East and Central Africa
Tel: + 27 11 361 7629
Email: Adrian.Wainwright@microsoft.com

International Youth Foundation Contact
James Peirce
Vice President, Planning and Outreach
Tel: +1-410-951-1606
Email: jim@iyfnet.org
]]> Tue, 12 Jun 2007 09:28:00 EDT http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/217897 http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/192373
The TINAPA project has proven one point, and that is that Nigeria has a thousand and one ways of generating revenue and influencing the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) outside oil.If the funds we have sank into repairing and maintaining our old refineries where put into such projects like TINAPA, you can imagine the number of jobs that will create and the impact it is going to have on our economy.

I will continue to ask this question, where are the groundnut pyramids and the cocoa houses our fathers and history teachers told of ? before oil was discovered in the 50's agriculture was the the major employer of labor.But today that sector is almost dead.As a matter of fact no young person wants to be called a farmer.Something has to be done.

Nigeria is rich in culture and tourism potentials, what are we doing to boost this sector.This new government has to ensure that the economy is diversified.Over dependence on one sector has done a lot of harm than good .If all sector are developed, there will be more jobs and this will strengthen the economy.]]> Sat, 28 Apr 2007 07:22:00 EDT http://thinkblur.tigblog.org/post/192373