MTV and MTN Partner For Youth Empowerment Program

MTV Networks Africa and MTN have joined forces in a groundbreaking pan-African multimedia campaign designed to inspire African youth by connecting them with some of the world’s most influential people.

Young people all over the world are steadily taking interest in national and global affairs, and are increasingly becoming vocal on issues that affect them and the world they live in.

The Pan-African broadcaster and one of Africa’s biggest mobile operators are coming together to produce MTV Base Meets…with MTN, an 8-part youth empowerment initiative and TV series that creates a dialogue between young people and the political, business and cultural leaders who shape the world today.

The intimate documentary series will allow Africa’s young minds to ask influential, inspirational and sometimes controversial individuals vital and probing questions. Among the eminent people who will feature in the series are Liberian President Madame Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (Africa’s first and only elected female head of state), Mr Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda and South African politician Mr Julius Malema (President of the ANC Youth League) and many African leaders or influencers who exercise a significant impact on the continent.

The captivating series will keep television viewers – young and old – on the edge of their seats. A diverse panel of young people representing different youth interests will be put together from across the African continent, with participants coming from Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda, among others.

Young, but well-informed, the panellists are articulate, engaging, provocative and opinionated on a range of intricate subjects – be it HIV/AIDS, global warming, education, poverty, corruption or entrepreneurship.

They are fearless and have attitude. Their no-holds-barred approach will make for exciting television viewing as they fire BIG questions to the influential people whose actions and opinions have a direct impact on their lives.

‘MTV base Meets…with MTN provides young people with the opportunity to engage directly with decision-makers and world leaders in order to address some of the key issues that are important to them. The initiative demonstrates our belief in the positive impact that the youth can have in shaping the future of the Continent.

We hope that MTV base Meets…with MTN will inspire young people across Africa to know that their voice matters and to help prepare them to take their own roles among the leaders of tomorrow’, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa, Alex Okosi explains

And as a way of bringing about interaction between the captivating series and viewers at home, African youth will be encouraged to nominate influencers and submit their proposed questions for the programme via a dedicated MTV base Meets…with MTN website or via their mobile handset.

Source: INFORMATION NIGERIA

Dangote announces $2m fellowship for young Africans

Dangote, yesterday, announced a two million dollar fellowship programme to develop young global leaders from Africa.

Dangote made the announcement in Cape Town, South Africa, at a joint news conference he addressed with World Economic Forum (WEF) President Prof. Klaus Schwab.

He said the objective of the programme was to increase the engagement of young Africans, especially those in the non-business sector, in the Young Global Leaders (YGL) community programme being run by WEF.

The fellowship will be awarded to 35 young Africans to assist them compete effectively with their peers from other parts of the world.

Dangote said the fellowship, which is to run initially for five years, was very important in integrating African young global leaders into the international arena.

He said the beneficiaries would go through training in highly rated international institutions to prepare them well for the task ahead.

Prof. Klaus Schwab, who signed for WEF, said he was very proud of the initiative, noting that it would strengthen Africa’s participation in global platforms of the WEF.
Source: NAN

CJN Katsina-Alu escapes death, loses wife

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Aloysius Katsina-Alu had a close shave with death at the weekend. His wife died.

For the country’s number one judicial officer and his wife, Victoria Mimi, savouring the cool evening breeze under a tree in their expansive country home in Alu village, Benue State, turned out a lethal experience. A tree fell on the duo, killing Mes Katsina-Alu. The CJ was injured.

Alu village in Ushongo Local Government Area is about one and a half hours drive from Makurdi, the state capital.

Mrs Katsina-Alu, 53, was rushed to the hospital. But she did not survive.

A family member, Mr. Ajiryar Katsina-Alu, yesterday recounted how the incident happened on Saturday.
He said the Katsina-Alus sat outdoors after a late dinner. They were about to go indoors when a strong wind started to blow.

“She stood up and told her husband that they should go indoors, but as they were about leaving, the wind uprooted one of the gmalina trees in the compound. It fell on her,” Mr Katsina-Alu said.

According to him, the tree also cut the branches of another tree which fell and upturned the chair on which the Chief Justice was seated, pushing him to the ground.

Justice Katsina-Alu had bruises, but his wife, who would have turned 54 next month was picked up unconscious and rushed to Myom Hospital in Gboko, the nearby major town, where she was confirmed dead, the family member said.

Her body was deposited at the Gboko General Hospital mortuary.
Mrs. Katsina-Alu had earlier in the day presided at the wedding of her niece, Erdoo Akaa, and her husband, Terseer Ado. The ceremony took place at Victory Saints Church in Alu village. She was said to be in high spirits during the ceremony, attend to guests, until late evening.

Sympathisers thronged the Katsina-Alu country home.
The early callers included Benue State Deputy Governor Steven Lawani, Senator George Akume, Mr. Justice Iorhemen Hwande, Chief Judge of Benue State Justice Margaret Igbetar, Attorney General and Justice Commissioner Mr Chive Keave, and Julius Shaukpar, Chairman, Ushongo Local Government.

Others are Sebastian Hon, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); Thaddeus Asua Polycarp Kwahar, Mr. Shaapera Naako, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources and proprietor of Royal Choice Inn, Mr. Felix Akiga.

Source: thenationonlineng.net