XENOPHOBIA, NIGERIA AND NIGERIANS.

There is a total difference between Nigeria and Nigerians. Nigeria include all those over the years who have been running this country at the national and state levels. Some shot their way into power while some rigged their way into power. They became the national behemoths. They controlled both the factors of production and selfishly reaped all the products. They made the financial rules and miss-appropriated all the finances. They wrote all the contracts and reaped all the proceeds. They made all regulations. They are the regulators of the operators and they were operating the regulations.

Then there are we the people-Nigerians. We are the oppressed. The abandoned. The unemployed. The underprivileged. The underpaid. The roving youths. The forgotten pensioners. The mentally and physically incapacitated. The unconnected. Nigeria has subjected the Nigerians to xenophobic attacks for many years by denying them share of their natural commonwealth. So many Nigerians went abroad to run away from Nigeria. If Nigeria gave Nigerians equal opportunities, level playing field, good infrastructure, good jobs, good education, health, security, protection of lives and properties, ethnic equality and freedom of movement and association, then Nigerians will not have serious need to be outside their shores.

When Nigerians go abroad they excel in academic and professional and business lives. Only a very negligible few Nigerians ply the vocation of criminality and they learnt it from the xenophobic attitudes of Nigeria on them. When Nigeria even goes abroad, they criminalize Nigerians and talk down on hardworking Nigerians abroad and expose  them to be subjected to inhuman treatments.

The South African xenophobic attacks on Nigerians was not engineered by Pete Botha or Fredrick De-Clerk or Nelson Mandela or Thabo  Mbeki or Jacob Zuma or Cyril Rampahosa. Even when they started new slaughtering of Nigerians and destroying their businesses recently in South Africa, Nigeria turned a deaf ear until the shouts of Nigerians and some other Africans became deafening. The original xenophobe is Nigeria. Nigeria kills Nigerians. Others are just following Nigeria to kill Nigerians. May God save Nigerians from Nigeria the XENOPHOBIC behemoth.

Ike C. Ibe

Now that the South African's have Overdone It

We have continued to receive several verified reports of xenophobic attacks on Nigerian's by South African's. It has become more disheartening with the recent closure of the Nigerian Embassy in South Africa. We might have grievances with our government in our homeland, that's our problem and we shall solve it at home. We might call for foreign investors, our sovereignty remains our strength.

In addition, we have received several reports of how foreign nationals (expatriates) treat our country men roughly working for them especially at home. The working conditions are terrible, the working environment is nothing to write home about, the incentives are meagre, and the retirement benefits is non-existent. I can recall a recent case of a multinational in the oil and gas industry that claims to be distressed. In a bid to reduce overhead, they laid off Nigerians (mostly senior staffs) and retained expatriates (who in most cases received more than x5 of what a Nigerian is paid).

We accept that our labour laws needs to be improved upon by the lawmakers. The cases of victimization and intimidation are unnumbered, unending renewal of contract employment (all to ensure that they have no access to some incentives and a pension when relieved), the absence of a health scheme, provision of low quality safety kits, very low remuneration and more remains a challenge.

The emotional control of Nigerians who have worked under harsh conditions with some of this foreign companies is about outpouring it's bounds, and the resultant effect looks carters trophic. In the last 24 hours, I have received reports that Nigerians are about to react to the situation and a reprisals attacks will not yield anything good for both parties.

I know some foreign nationals in Lagos are witness to the change in the security architecture; they drove themselves everywhere they went without an escort, now they need escorts. They could stop to eat anywhere and take a stroll on the street without any security threats, now that is changing. I heard a uber taxi escaped an attacked because it carried a foreign national.

However, retaliation is never been the best response to the situation. We need to define what Nigerian's want and address the situation once and find a lasting solution before it gets out of hand.

Nigerians wants to be free to do legitimate businesses anywhere in the world. Nigerians want the Federal Government to place a stiff sanction on the South African government. Nigerians want an open apology from the president of South Africa and an immediate sack of her government officials in support of these attacks. Nigerian's want better labour law's and policies that would address issues raised above. Nigerians wants respect and a peaceful working environment. Nigerians want effective and efficient utilization of corporate social responsibility. Nigerians are peace loving people. Good People! Great Nation!

I use this medium to appeal to my countrymen to shun all forms of violence on both Nigerians and foreigners. I can accept a boycotting of products and services of the oppressor. Violence is not an option.

Thank you, and stay blessed.

Aminu Lookman Enitan
4th September, 2019
Deputy Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter,
National Youth Council of Nigeria

@Lukamins on Facebook, twitter, and instagram

#StopXenophobia #YoungLeaders #YoungMPs #YouthInclusion #Lagos #SDGYouth #NigeriaDecides #NoSidonLook #SDG #SDGs #ActiveCitizens #GlobalCitizen #NYCN #NYCNLagos #IYD #IYD2019

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What My South African Friend Told Her Brothers

The problem South Africa is facing now is not xenophobia... its Illiteracy.

The ANC and South African Education system has failed to educate its youth.

Apartheid didn’t just magically disappear and the struggle was not a sole effort.

Africa as a whole stood by Mzansi to eradicate the oppression that plagued black South Africans which was a result of apartheid.

The leaders of the struggle, the leaders which y’all look up to where on the run, hunted like animals to be executed on site but because of other Countries they got sanctuary.

They lived in other countries, they were provided with documentation, they were given resources and stability so they could liberate this country.

These NIGERIANS you are hunting down took money from their own pockets and took their lunch money while in school to donate to the movement of the ANC.

Don’t be stupid, know ur history.

If not for anything else but for Ubuntu.

Every African is your brother especially Nina South Africans who think this is the USA of Africa, this couldn’t have happened if not for foreigners, their sacrifices and their selflessness. Yazi ni ungrateful.

My Brother do you know how many South Africans are staying in other African countries?

If u have a problem with someone prospering and wakes up at 4am goes out to make a living while you are sleeping comfortably in ur RDP house expecting SASSA money month end to support your kids then u are evil.

U don’t hate foreigners, u hate urself.

U complain that they are taking ur women... no one can take a woman that is loved, protected and provided with all that she needs.

That problem is yours and yours alone.

Don’t they have women?

 If u are men like them why don’t you take their women Nani?

U can burn ur own sister alive because she chose to marry a man who was ready to marry and love her, while in your house right now you are staying with the mother of your kids and haven’t married her for 13years now it’s still a “vat en set”?

Ayy niyanya shem

I DONT LIKE NONSENSE.

 THIS HAS TO STOP COZ OF ALL AFRICAN COUNTRIES, SOUTH AFRICA BELONGS TO ALL AFRICANS COZ THEY WERE WITH US WHEN WE NEEDED THEM THE MOST!

THEY SAW US THROUGH AND WE GOT LIBERATED THROUGH THE EFFORTS AND SACRIFICE OF EVERY AFRICAN COUNTRY!

20 reasons why we lost our freedom since Buhari got into Power

1. Naira lost value
2. Economy in Dispair
3. Insecurity magnified
4. Boko Haram reinforced
5. Killer Herdsmen got Licensed to kill
6. Democracy turned Dictatorship
7. Vote Buying and Vote Selling became magnanimously adopted during election
8. Inflation at it's worst state ever
9. Hunger and starvation like never before
10. Number of IDP refugee camps increased
11. All public sector retrogressed
12. Nigeria's bad image in league of nations magnified
13. Unemployment and joblessness refueled
14. Kidnappings and Fraudulence on the rampage in his "anti-corruption" themed administration
15. Police brutalization of citizens now the order of the day
16. Maltreatment of Nigerians in diaspora like never before
17. Intra-nation and inter-tribal crisis on the increase
18. Nepotism and Favouritism - Empowerment of His Kinsmen, the Fulanis over every other tribe - RUGA
19. Celebration of Terrorists by his government
20. Handling the killing of Nigerians in the Xenophobic attack in South Africa with levity!

Buhari is simply a curse, but more cursed are those who helped him into power!!

*I am Olanrewaju Ojuoluwa, Youth Advocate and Social Reformer.

Like many other reasonable Nigerians, I'm bothered by how badly things are getting out of hand under Buhari's failed administration.

EXPRESSION OF HIGH LEVEL DISAPPOINTMENT OVER THE KILLINGS OF NIGERIANS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND A CALL FOR URGENT ACTION.

South African  High Commission
Diplomatic Zone
Plot 371
Central Business District
Abuja.

Sir,


With tears in our eyes, we the Nigerian youths under the umbrella of Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative for the Youths CSRIY express our utmost displeasure and disappointment over the incessant carnage and killings of our people in South Africa. South Africa as a country through this show of ingratitude to a nation that played a vital role in your emancipation from the shackles of apartheid, displayed a spirit that is anti-AFRICAN. The killings of Nigerians in South African is a national insult, spite on the face of Nigeria as a
 country and Nigerians in general.

In South African land, Nigerians fall prey to South African police, South African citizens and all of them go scot free. Every Tom, Dick and Harry clamp down on Nigerians with reckless abandon and claim monopoly of violence.

A message to South African Youths: No youths of any nation can claim monopoly of violence or make any significant progress by attacking fellow African brothers. In as much ad we respect you so much, we detest this aspect of your lazy, unproductive attacks on well meaning foreigners. It is rude, lack of civility and an attack of the spirit of your forebears that understand the implications of a nation standing for you when your land is under threat.

 Physically, you recognize the high spirit and agility level of Nigerian youths, but we employ our energy in hardworking and productive living. It takes us nothing to bring down all business and enterprise belonging to South African Nationals  but we refused to tow that evil part knowing fully well that no country can stand or exist in isolation.

On this noble understanding, we the entire Nigerian youths give peace a second and last chance in making the following demands to both the South African government, South African youths, killing Nigerians, vandalizing their businesses and all other stakeholders especially South African business owners in Nigeria:
A public apology in all print and electronic media both in Nigeria and South Africa for the valuable lives of Nigerians killed in South Africa.

A practical and positive approach to redress this ugly situation, arrest the culprits and bring them to justice publicly to serve as a deterrent to others.

To call for a round table discussions of the Youths bodies of our country Nigeria to suggest a way out of this national assault of a peaceful and friendly nation.

The above humble demands should be met before the expiration of seven days or we would throw civility to the wind and defend our brothers to the best we can.

It is quite unfair for us to fold our hands and watch our people being slaughtered daily in cold blood.

Nigerian Youths are angry!

Hope to meet again in peace and not in pieces!

Joel Eze
For and on behalf of over 100 million Nigerian youths of the federation.

CC:
United Nations UN
African Union AU
National Assembly
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Chairperson, Nigerian Diaspora Commission

XENOPHOBIA: Unionist Raise Voice Against It

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

An Asaba based Trade Union leader, Comrade Dumebi Eluaka has rasied his voice to condemn the recent killing of Nigerians and other Non South Africans in some cities of South Africa.

He aired his feelings today, Thursday, shortly after his inaurguration as the Delta State Public Relations Officer of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).

The Union Leader maintained that there was no reason for South Africans to had shown Nigerians and other African nationals in their country such ill treatment.

Nigeria had in the dark days of South African's oppression under their colonial masters received material and cash supports from Nigeria and other African Nations.

These acts of xenophobia against Africans by South African youths is largely wrong and not acceptable, he said.

Comrade Eluaka also pledged his committment at raising the image of TUC to some enviable height.

I am ready to do every thing within my ability at supporting my state chairman and work hamoniously at making sure that we collectively succeed as an exco.

It is my prayer that we will have smooth working relationship with the Nigerian Labour Congress, other affiliate organizations in the state, Delta State government and our teeming workers, who today, we vow to represent.

I stand here today to share my support for the full implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage agenda of the Federal Government, Comrade Dumebi Eluaka noted.

 Before today's inaurguration, Comrade Dumebi Eluaka is the Delta State Chairman, Union of Tipper & Quarry Employers of Nigeria, a role he will double with his present position as the Delta State Public Relations Officer for Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.

TUC-Delta State Gets New Excutives

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

The Delta State Chapter of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), today, Thursday, elected and inaurgurated her new state executive members.

The election and inaurguration took place during the union's 4th triennial state delegate conference held at Asaba.

Comrade Musa Lawal, the union's national secretary general witnessed and presided over the exercise.

Sharing his post inaurguration goodwill message, he expressed his appreciation over the peaceful nature of the electoral process that ushered in the new executive  members and urged them to sustain the tempo.

The union leader also decried the recent reports of attacks by South African youths against Nigerians in their country.

He also pointed out that the Union's National Leadership had in strong terms condemned the attack.

Our national leadership is already engaging the federal government concerning issues confronting our workers and we will not relent to offer quality representation, Comrade Lawal said.

Comrade Mike Okeme, the state governor's aide on labour matters, who represented the state governor, share the governor's goodwill message.

In his goodwill message, the state governor stressed that the government had enjoyed good working relationship with labour and trade union leaders in the state.

We had in recent past witnessed peaceful collaboration with your union and hope it continues to be so sustained, the governor pointed out.

The state government had commenced recruitment of young able Deltans into the state's workforce.

Fifty persons had being recriuted into the Ministry of Agriculture, we have just finished recruitment of One Thousand new teachers, while the state government is reconsidering the re-instatement of one thousand workers previously laid off the state's workforce.

We are going to work round the clock with your union for the betterment of our workers, I also appreciate your union's leadership over the peaceful conduct of this electoral process, the governor said.

Comrade Okeme charged the union leaders to peacefully work with themselve with team spirit and urged them to periodically visit his office for more result driven consultation as his doors are open to them.

One of the highlight of the event was award presentation made to the state governor and received on his behalf by Comrade Mike Okeme.

The 4th triennial state delegate conference witnessed the election and inaruguration of new state executive officers for the union.

Bolum Martins and Yekovie E.O were elected as the union's state chairman and state vice chairman respectively.

Others include, Oyegbanren.E. voted as state secretary; Egbiniyokor Abel as state treasurer; Okoh K.C became the new state assistant secretary.

Igboamaka J.A will serve as the state financial secretary while Dumebi Eluaka will function as the state public relation officer.

Faith Usoroh will serve the union as the state woman leader and Sunny Obozua will fill the role of state auditor.

Sharing his post inaurguration acceptance speech, the union's new state chairman, appreciated all members over their peaceful conduct during the electoral process and assured them quality service and result oriented representation.

We are going to engage and partner with the state government at negotiating better workers welfare.

We are also going to extend our arms of fellowship to other sister related bodies, the chairman stressed.

There is positive and better hope for workers in the state, we will do and put in our very best to ensure our workers get the very best from our service.

I cease this moment to seek for your positive collaboration and smooth working relationship with my leadership, Comrade Bolum Martins charged state executives and union members.

The event was generally peacefull and well attended by a cross section of delegates from the Union's affiliate member organizations.

HOW I SUDDENLY STARTED LOVING IGBO.

By Tyrano Tsunami

THE MYTHS:

As a boy growing up on the street of Port Harcourt, I was told so many horrible things about Igbos. I was told that Igbos were planning to push Rivers people to Abia State for the people of Abia to inhabit Rivers State because of our resources. I was told that Igbo people enslaved and ruled over my people in Bori the traditional headquarters of Ogoni Kingdom. I was told that Odumegwu Ojukwu, Onyeka Onwenu and other prominent Igbos brazenly rejoiced over the execution of my uncle Ken Saro  Wiwa because of the role he played during the Civil War. I was told that it is better to be slaves to Hausas than to be brothers to Igbos because, Igbo are worse than Hausa.

THE EFFECTS:

These things made me to terribly detest Igbos beyond what you can imagine, I was always skeptical, cynical and suspicious while dealing with Igbos. It also affected my friendship with Igbo guys, I was always careful not to be a victim, no matter how they value the friendship, as long as they are Igbos, they were bad eggs to me .

It also severely affected my relationship with Igbo girls, 70% of the girls I have seen are Igbos girls but I have never treated any of my Igbo girlfriends fairly because, I programmed my mind not to be interested in anything beyond the fun attached to the chemistry of boys and girls stuff while dealing with an Igbo girl, I didn't want to make the mistake of dating an Igbo girl to the extent of marrying her.

THE DISCOVERY:

I was posted to Akwa Ibom State for my national youth service in November 2013, there I made so many Igbo friends, almost 60% of Akwa Ibom corps members are from Igbo extraction, mainly from IMSU, FUTO, ABSU, UMUDIKE,  ESUT and IMT. There I saw how determined a typical Igbo youth is, there i saw the natural tendency for economic success in a typical Igbo guy, there I saw the reason why Igbos are entrepreneurs allover the globe, there I saw that God specially gave them the metaphysical eyes to see money in things and where you don't even think of smelling money, there I saw that even though the Igbos have had severe political travails and marginalization, they will forever remain the economic salt of Nigeria, even after the restoration of Biafra.  

While we were serving, those of us who are Port Harcourt breed UNIPORT/RSUST corps members were always complaining that Akwa Ibom is beautiful but not groovy as Port Harcourt, we were always complaining that the town is dry with no night life as Port Harcourt. But our friends from the Igbo extraction were seeing things differently, they saw Akwa Ibom as a beautiful virgin land highly in need of economic exploration, they saw huge business opportunities in where we saw boredom.

We were complaining of the insufficient N19,800 alawi while they were seeing it as potential small scale business capital. We used our alawi to club in one night because, we didn't see it as good enough to help us, while our Igbo friends inject it into their small scale businesses. We were always going to Tropicana to see movies while our Igbo friends are busy going to Lagos to bring wears and jewelries for us to buy.  We were always calling home for money but our Igbo friends were sending money home instead.
At the end of my  service year, I said I was going back to Port Harcourt because I believed Uyo was too dry for me to hustle, but my Igbo friends stayed back because they saw Uyo as a land lacking business and as such, it's good for them to make money through the introduction of different businesses.

THE REVERSAL:

I came back to Port Harcourt then pondered on my experience with these Igbo brains, I then realised why people hate them, I felt bad seriously for wrongly hating them all these while, I decided to love them because, they have the kind of zeal I'd love to emulate.

THE CONVICTION:

When I was fully convinced that the Igbos are not only my role models but my blood was when they went against all odds to make Goodluck Jonathan their own, they loved him even more than some us from the South South, they gave him their full support at the poll not minding the consequences. Ever since, I couldn't stop loving Igbos but to love them even more.

THE RECOMMENDATION:

Igbos drive the economy of every towns and cities in Nigeria, nobody can change that, so instead of hating them for doing business in your place, I'd advise you compete with them even if you know you can't beat them because, it is your land that is benefiting economically and otherwise with such healthy competition, it is a win win situation.

CONCLUSION:

Igbos are subject of hate in this country, apparently due to wrong perception, but I personally think Igbos are cool like any other tribe, and bad like any other tribe too. Though my main problem with them is that, they never admit their flaws no matter how glaring but they are always quick to lampoon the slightest folly of other tribes.

If you want to be successful economically, think like Igbos!

Ps:

Yes , the igbo indomitable spirit.

Ndokwa/Oshimili Communities Protest New NDDC Board Appointment

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

The recent Federal Government's appointment of the new board members of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) ), today, at Asaba recorded a huge minus.

Large number of youths, women and men drawn from communities within Ndokwa and Oshimili Local Government Areas registered their displeasure over the recent appointment.

They took their protest to the state's house of assembly and the government house.

At the state assembly the angry protesters were received by their respective representatives, assured that they understand their grieviances and ready to work round the clock with them at correcting the anomaly.

As contained in an address John Obi, the organising chairman, Ben Elu, Esq and Chuk Ozulu, the protesters rejected in its totality the deliberate marginalization of the entire Delta North Senitorial District in the constitution of the commission's board since 2000.

Part of their address to the state governor, read in part thus; "rather than at least consider we that have never benefited for 19 years, the same Urhobo and Isoko groups that were appointed into the out going board were again rewarded with the Managing Director and Delta State representative positions respectively for an unprecedented two consecutive tenures"

Speaking to our reporter, Chuk Ozulu, pointed out that, among the five oil producing ethnic nationalities in Delta State, it shows that the Urhobos had being appointed five times; the Isokos, Ijaws and Itsekiris had enjoyed appointment at the commission four, four and three times respectively.

He also maintained that the current Deputy Senate President, Minister for State Niger Delta (the only minister from the state, Chairman of the NSITF Board as well as outgoing NDDC Executive Director (Projects), he said are all Urhobos.

The group's leader, John Obi, urged Niger Delta Leaders and Governors to persuade the president to reconsider the list and allow Ndokwa Nation produce the next Managing Director and Delta State representative in the new NDDC board.

Comrade Hero I Hero and Odili Ebere, in their chat with our reporter decried the exclusion of Delta North Senitorial District in the appointment of the commission's board.

They also noted that Ndokwa nation had contributed a lot towards the Indepedent Power Plant (IPP) project of the nation with ten oil companies peacefully operating within their domain but lamented that all that is their lot is no jobs and appointment to their people.

Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, received the angry protesters at government house today, with the assurance that the state government is ready to work with them on this issue.

He also reminded them that their royal fathers had before now paid advocacy visits to his office and their letters to the state governor had equally being sent to the presidency.

Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon thanked them over the peaceful manner they conducted themselves during the period of the protest.

S

DTSG Approves Counterpart Funding For UBEC Financing Program

* To Build More Schools In Asaba
* Young Deltans To Gain Entrepreneurial Skills

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

To enhance and strengthen basic and secondary education in Delta State, the state government has approved payment of their counterpart funding for the
Universal Basic Education (UBE) Programme

This was made know to joirnalists today, Tuesday, during a post exco press briefing at the Government House by Aniagwu Ehiedu Charles, the Information commissioner.

The executive council today approved the payment of N1.5 billion UBE counterpart fund, he said.

This, he said will enable the state government ensure educational facility upgrade, training and retraining of the workforce and total over hauling of the basic and secondary educational system in the state.

Due to the increasing population within the state's capital city and its environ, the information commissioner announced, the state government's committment to construct one more primary school and one more secondary school in Asaba.


Aniagwu Ehiedu Charles pointed out that the state government has  created public project monitoring unit to ensure that the state government's public projects impact Deltans positively and add value for tax payers money.

This unit will advice the state government on all her ongoing projects, with a view to ensure that an undiluted assessment of all ongoing public project, Aniagwu maintained.

All Ministries, Agencies and Departments in the state are to present to the unit copies of their vital project documents.

His Youth Devellopment counterpart, Ifeanyi Egwunyega,  also pointed out the state government's committment at ensuring that more young Deltans gain more entreprenurial skills.

He shared how the state government had matched their words with action by committing over N1.1Billion into the state's Job and Wealth Creation program.

Students are strategic to SDGs implementation.... Prof. Shehu - VC, KUST.

By Seyifunmi Adebote and Umar Farouk Ahmad, Kano State.


The Vice-Chancellor, Kano State University of Science and Technology, Professor Shehu Musa has underscored the importance of having young people as the drivers of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Addressing not less than 65 students during the SDGs4Universities Workshop hosted by the Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil on Thursday, August 22nd, 2019, Professor Shehu said, “You (students) have the strategic position to make a contribution.

You don’t need to have a million naira or be a politician before you start making a difference.

In one way or the other, you all are connected to at least one of these 17 goals and you must know that the realization of this is largely dependent on you.

Reiterating the University’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, Professor Shehu expressed his delight to the facilitating organization, International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI) for considering Kano State University of Science and Technology and for training the students of the institution on how they can begin to practically take actions towards driving the SDGs in their local communities.

“We are fully receptive to collaborate with stakeholders to see the realization of the SDGs. I hope that students of this institution will put to practice the lessons from this SDGs4Universities workshop,” Shehu said.

The SDGs4Universities workshop is a project by the International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI).

ICCDI has been taking the knowledge of the SDGs to various tertiary institutions across the country.

According to the Project Coordinator, Seyifunmi Adebote, “this workshop is part of our continued efforts to localize the knowledge and application of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals among university students, as well as, to position them to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.”

The workshop came to an end with the establishment of the KUST SDGs club in the university.

Though the 6th SDGs4Universities workshop, the Kano State University of Science and Technology is the first in the North-West region of Nigeria.

The facilitators included Umar Farouk and Mufid Muhammad from Green Again Initiative, and Salihu Hamisu and Juwairiyya El-Yakub, alumni of the University.

The workshop was attended by not less than 65 students from different faculties, along with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shehu Musa, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Academic, Professor Aminu Umar Fagge; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Administration, Professor Tijjani Saleh Bichi; the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor A. S. Ma’aji and the Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Daraja among others.

udents are strategic to SDGs implementation.... Prof. Shehu - VC, KUST.

By Seyifunmi Adebote and Umar Farouk Ahmad, Kano State.


The Vice-Chancellor, Kano State University of Science and Technology, Professor Shehu Musa has underscored the importance of having young people as the drivers of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Addressing not less than 65 students during the SDGs4Universities Workshop hosted by the Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil on Thursday, August 22nd, 2019, Professor Shehu said, “You (students) have the strategic position to make a contribution.

You don’t need to have a million naira or be a politician before you start making a difference.

In one way or the other, you all are connected to at least one of these 17 goals and you must know that the realization of this is largely dependent on you.

Reiterating the University’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, Professor Shehu expressed his delight to the facilitating organization, International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI) for considering Kano State University of Science and Technology and for training the students of the institution on how they can begin to practically take actions towards driving the SDGs in their local communities.

“We are fully receptive to collaborate with stakeholders to see the realization of the SDGs. I hope that students of this institution will put to practice the lessons from this SDGs4Universities workshop,” Shehu said.

The SDGs4Universities workshop is a project by the International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI).

ICCDI has been taking the knowledge of the SDGs to various tertiary institutions across the country.

According to the Project Coordinator, Seyifunmi Adebote, “this workshop is part of our continued efforts to localize the knowledge and application of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals among university students, as well as, to position them to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.”

The workshop came to an end with the establishment of the KUST SDGs club in the university.

Though the 6th SDGs4Universities workshop, the Kano State University of Science and Technology is the first in the North-West region of Nigeria.

The facilitators included Umar Farouk and Mufid Muhammad from Green Again Initiative, and Salihu Hamisu and Juwairiyya El-Yakub, alumni of the University.

The workshop was attended by not less than 65 students from different faculties, along with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shehu Musa, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Academic, Professor Aminu Umar Fagge; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Administration, Professor Tijjani Saleh Bichi; the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor A. S. Ma’aji and the Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Daraja among others.