Owerri Digital Village

Traffic Situation in Owerri

2008-09-30T20:58:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-30T20:43:00.001-07:00

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

2008-09-15T19:32:00.001-07:00

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

2008-04-02T18:18:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-02T17:58:00.000-07:00

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

2008-01-21T05:03:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-31T07:28:00.000-08:00

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.

Christmas in Nigeria

2007-12-24T21:08:00.000-08:00

Today, I spoke with one of the programme managers at the Owerri Digital Village, Makuo. I called him to wish him a Merry Christmas. Makuo was at Church when I called and I could hear an abundance of joyful singing in the background.

Makuo is from Awka, Anambra state. During the holidays, he leaves Owerri and returns to his family in Awka. AAs in many other parts of Nigeria, during Christmas there are lots of festivities including religious worship, dancing, music and food.

Merry Christmas to the YTF team in Nigeria. e kuu odun (Merry Christmas in Yoruba)!

e-Pals - What a Great Way to Make Friends and Share Ideas

2007-11-26T19:01:00.000-08:00

It has been an exciting 4 weeks for YTF students to collaborate with their digital peers in the United States as part of the e-Pals program.

YTF’s Owerri Digital Village and St. Anthony’s Elementary School in Long Beach, California, have partnered on this program aimed at giving young people the opportunity to learn new things about each other including their culture, food, history, government and communities. The program was initiated by a teacher at St. Anthony’s and a former Peace Corps Volunteer.

Examples of the e-communication are as follows:

From the U.S:

Dear new friend,

My name is Emely I am 12 years old and I am in 7th grade. I was born in America, but my parents are from Guatemala and Bolivia. My family on my moms side all came to California, but they are originally from Guatemala. My dad and his mom came here as well, but are originally from Bolivia.

From Nigeria:

Dear Friend,

My name is Wencenslus. I am 15 years old. My friends call me “school boy”. I live in Nigeria am a student of Youth for Technology Foundation’s Owerri Digital Village. I like to play sports. Some of my favorite sports are soccer, table tennis. I also love to watch wrestling. In Nigeria we go to school 8:00am to 2:00pm favorite subjects in school is English Language.

We hope to implement a similar program in our Sironko Digital Village, Uganda, in 2008.

The Return of the Good Old Days

2007-11-13T17:50:00.000-08:00

The inhabitants of Owerri; the capital city of Imo State, and environs have woken up to yet another positive impression and consciousness on the resolve of Governor Ikedi Ohakim’s efforts to restore the lost glory of the state through its “CLEAN & GREEN INITIATIVE”.

Following his appointment as the Special Advisor on Sanitation and Transport to the Governor; Chief Barrister Willie Amadi, whose office is handed the challenging task of restoring the beauty of the state capital, swung into action. It has not taken long for this team to make a positive impact to the city which previously was bastardized by the indiscriminate erection of illegal structures, containers, motor parks, kiosks and mindless dumping of refuse.

Imo is on the remake and is being repositioned as the Eastern Heartland's host state of tourists and new Nigerians. Oguta WonderLake Resort , Uboma Fish Ponds, Okigwe Rolling Hills and Abadaba Lake are some of the interesting places to visit while in this region vacationing and ofcourse, we invite you to add the Owerri Digital Village to your list of places to visit while you are here.

Owerri Digital Village - a World Without Walls

2007-11-13T17:29:00.000-08:00

It is imperative that as a community technology and learning center, we continue to involve the local community in productive ways that enhance the lives of young people.

What an opportunity for the young people at Imo State University of Nigeria (IMSU) to receive quality ICT training. From where? You may ask...

Youth for Technology Foundation's Owerri Digital Village (ODV) in partnership with the General Studies Unit of the Imo State University arranged for the training of its students on Basic Computer Literacy and Appreciation, Word Processing and Spreadsheet Applications. The students are, for the most part, students of the new Faculty of Engineering.

Programme participants wasted no time in getting right to their coursework. The programme managers at ODV, led by Maureen, have been doing an amazing job providing training to the young people in line with YTF’s mission of Bridging the Digital Canyon.

The training, which commenced since October 2007, would be coming to an end on the 17th of November 2007.

Congratulations to the first graduating class of IMSU students at ODV. Go into the world and -yes -be great.

Leaders Initiate Mass Change...

2007-09-19T20:36:00.000-07:00

Youth unemployment has increasingly come to be recognized as one of the more serious socio-economic problems confronting Nigeria today.

Career Talk, "CaTalk" provides an innovative approach to equip Nigerian youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to compete in the global job market. The programme led by YTF programme manager, Makuo Nkwo partners with other youth-led organizations to deliver motivational sessions on networking and career strategies throughout the southeast region.

Pictured are leaders from a local organization, Exhibit Hall, in Owerri that YTF is partnering with to deliver the CaTalk programme at the Owerri Digital Village.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

2007-09-17T17:50:00.000-07:00

Last week, our team members at YTF's Sironko Digital Village, Uganda, caught a glimpse of us at the Owerri Digital Village. We sent them a digital photo we took with the camera and they viewed it on one of the laptops in the center.

Although the team at the Owerri Digital Village, Nigeria is yet to meet the team at the Sironko Digital Village, Uganda, we feel.. we know we are connected. In a small and impactful way, we are changes the lives of many whom we may never see in a picture or otherwise.

Suggestions For Effective ICT Program Implementation In Developing Nations

2007-09-03T19:59:00.001-07:00

Young people all over the world have been identified as the future workforce, leading creators and earliest adaptors of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). As such, they must be adequately and qualitatively empowered as learners, developers, contributors, entrepreneurs and decision makers.

To achieve the desired result from such a program, policy makers and all relevant stakeholders must ensure the following:
· Focus on young people who have not yet been able to benefit fully from the opportunities provided by ICT
· Encourage and nurture the development of specialty skills depending on the individuals’ natural gifts and talents.
· Effective monitoring, maintenance and upgrading of various technology tools and infrastructure to ensure sustainability, since the ICT world is ever dynamic.
When these measures are adhered to, the much talked about Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will be as good as achieved.

The Community Speaks... We Listen

2007-08-23T17:20:00.000-07:00

YTF recognizes that the long term sustainability of the ODV depends on community involvement, support, ownership and relevance of the center to their needs. Since our inception, we constantly involved the community in our work through active outreach and then designed programmes that were relevant and enabled participation based on the communities needs.

Pictured here (from left) are: Makuo Nkwo, programme manager, Obinna Uchendu, Advisor to the State Government on ICT matters, Maureen Uduji, programme manager and Nneka Lazarus, programme participant.

Reason to Celebrate - Owerri Digital Village is 6!

2007-08-23T17:11:00.000-07:00

Community members, youth participants, staff and friends of Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF), came together on August 3rd to celebrate the 6th year anniversary of the Owerri Digital Village. Several community and state government dignitaries were represented at the event. Recognized also were YTF's graduating students from the TechTeens and TechCommunities programme.

YTF's Executive Director thanked the community for their unwavering support over the last six years and encouraged programme graduates to go into the world and "do great things". Congratulations to ODV and the graduating students!

The Art of Reading

2007-08-23T16:56:00.000-07:00

YTF spoke to the young women at the Federal Government Girls College during their final assembly on Friday, July 27th. We shared with them the summer youth programme and encouraged them to stop by the Owerri Digital Village to learn more. Over the years, YTF has partnered with local primary and secondary institutions to unlock the technology potential in young people.

The picture was taken on school grounds just before the assembly bell rang. The students weren't in that much of a hurry to go home, obviously, they seem more interested in a quick read.

Nigeria Launches NigComSat-1

2007-08-17T22:21:00.000-07:00

It is no longer news that Nigeria has lunched its Communication Satellite; NigComSat-1. The Satellite which was deployed into orbit at a distance of 35,700 km from the earth, took Nigerian and Chinese engineers 27 years to complete. Having achieved this feat, the country has been catapulted into another level of ICT application. Can you beat the reach?

The benefits accruable to the country deserve to be mentioned. Among the numerous benefits are:·
* A drastic reduction in communication tariff across the country and Africa in general.
* Economic and technological emancipation- the sale of its transponders would earn Nigeria N270 billion in 15 years.
*The much needed technology transfer to Nigerians and a host of others.

YTF Set to Train the Trainers at Local Primary School

2007-08-17T22:11:00.000-07:00

YTF has concluded plans to commence training of teachers of Dora Amako Nursery and Primary School; a local school in Owerri Nigeria. The training scheduled to begin in September 2007.

Registration for TechTeens and TechCommunities Programme Kicks off at ODV

2007-08-17T21:54:00.000-07:00

Registeration at the Owerri Digital Village has begun in view of the upcoming session on May 7, 2007. Youths from the local community have started making enquires and registering for the classes. To find out more about our innovative programs at the ODV, please contact us at +234-8038665843.

Owerri Digital Village Students Graduate from the May 2007 Class

2007-05-01T05:07:00.001-07:00

20 youth, ages 18 - 23, recently completed the TechCommunities Programme at the Owerri Digital Village. The ODV graduates who commenced thie classes in February 2007 were trained to use technology as a tool for learning and in their communities. Courses covered included Microsoft Office and Digital Media.

The Board and Staff of YTF happily congratulates these graduates. Join us in this celebration.