OPPORTUNITY: Dantanyze is Looking for Contract Writers/Bloggers

Datanyze.com is looking for contract writers / bloggers to contribute to our blog on a regular basis. Our topic focus is: 

OPPORTUNITY: UNICEF is Looking for a Remote Editor

If you are a passionate and committed professional and want to make a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

PURPOSE:

UNICEF works to advance the rights of adolescents across all its programmes and policies. A small team of specialists promotes programming for adolescents that build on their assets and strengths, while addressing their unique vulnerabilities and risks. 

UNICEF is developing an “Adolescent Kit for Expression and Innovation,” which is a package of guidance, resources and supplies to reach, engage and support the healthy development of children in the second decade of life, especially those in humanitarian contexts. This “Adolescent Kit for Expression and Innovation” is designed to strengthen and catalysed programmes and interventions UNICEF and partners implement throughout the humanitarian action cycle and in other challenging settings. The entire kit provides approaches and activities that can be used in UNICEF’s child protection, education, and youth programmes and partnerships, including Child-Friendly Spaces, community-based protection approaches, schools and education programmes (both formal and nonformal) and youth centres, as well as supplies to make those approaches and activities more feasible and engaging in low-resource contexts.

SEEKING REFUGE: Why the Refugee Crisis in Europe Should Bother You.

If a refugee will knock on your door tonight, all tired and hungry, will you let him/her in?

It's all over the media. people, a lot of people, displaced by war and IS are seeking refuge in Europe and the Middle East, and every day more and more people take that life-threatening journey in the search for safety.

PETITION: Road to Paris--Care About Climate.

Climate change is both a civilizational and generational wake-up call to alter our economy, our lifestyles, now before they get changed for us. The alarm bells of the climate crisis have been ringing in our ears for years and are getting louder all the time-yet humanity has failed to change course. What is wrong with us?

#UN70: My Stroll with Bridget Sisk, Chief, UN Archives and Records Management Section

You can listen or download this interview on the Stroll Podcast

When the UN General Assembly starts in September, global leaders will sit together to agree on a new development agenda for the world and commemorate 7 decades of the United Nations' existence as an organization. My guest today is Bridget Sisk, Chief, UN Archives and Records Management Section.

Bridget, who has a very broad knowledge of the UN System having spent over two decades in the organization, told me about the broad scope the records and management section covers; the digitization of UN records and archives which she has pioneered; as well as the life lessons young people can learn from her experience working around the world.

I hope our conversation inspires you.

INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY 2015: What I learned from Interacting with Malala Yousafzai, Zuriel Oduwole, and Adora Svitak.

By Ebenezar Wikina

8th September is International Literacy Day, and the theme for this year's observance is Literacy and Sustainable Societies. This evening I was thinking about how far the fight for Girl Child education has gone, and these 3 wonderful ladies came to mind--funny enough I've had a Q & A Session with all three in the past.

BOOK REVIEW: “The Girl Who Found Water” by Chibuzor Mirian Azubuike

Book Reviewed by: Ebenezar Wikina


The Girl Who Found Water is a memoir written by Chibuzor Mirian Azubuike on her time—and giant strides—as a youth corper in the dreaded North East of Nigeria. Chibuzor is from Nnewi in Anambra State, Nigeria, and she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Benin, Nigeria. She is a recipient of the NYSC State Honours award, and numerous commendations from the Office of the Governor of Bauchi State, and the Bauchi State Ministry of Water Resources. In recognition of her effort during her youth service year she was named “Lady Haske” and crowned Sarkin Aiyuka by the community of Bigi Tudunwada in Bauchi State, Nigeria.

FLASH FICTION COMPETITION: AMAB Books Announces 1st Bi-Annual Flash Fiction Writing Competition

AMAB Books in collaboration with Home of Books Foundation announces the 1st Bi-Annual Flash Fiction Writing Competition. This competition is organized to generate appreciable publicity for the improvement of the reading and writing culture in Nigeria. The mission is to initiate and encourage avid readers and transform them into talented writers that will usher Nigeria and Africa into the next century of literary greatness.

STORY CONTEST: United Nations Development Programme Launches Story Competition in run-up to COP21

(Source: UNDP Nigeria)

UNDP has launched today a global storytelling contest,Voices2Paris, to contribute to raising public awareness on the negative impacts of climate change as well as on the opportunities and solutions seen in actions by individuals and governments alike across vulnerable developing countries worldwide.

“We want to provide young journalists in developing countries a unique opportunity to contribute to the global debate on climate change in the run-up to COP21, while building their capacity and providing recognition for excellence” noted Neil Buhne, UNDP Geneva Director.

OPPORTUNITY: Writing Internship at STARTUP NIGERIA

Startup Nigeria is looking for writers, that will serve as interns, who can write about technology, agriculture, Startups, and other business related themes.

[Report] #Act4Climate Exercise to Mark International Youth Day 2015

#Act4Climate was organized as a Climate Change Education and Advocacy Program to Commemorate the International Youth Day 2015.

Considering that climate change potentially represents a major threat to the Health and socio-economic stability of #Youth particularly in developing countries, young people with common interest and passion for #ClimateChange came together on International Youth Day 2015, 12th August, at the SRC Chambers, Student Union Building of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria to discuss the various ways humans are contributing to the Global Warming Processes due to their various anthropogenic activities due to lack of education and ignorance; and how citizens can inculcate adaptive measures in a way to lessen the existing impacts of Climate change and prevent future occurrences.

#AfricasBiggestBookProject: My Stroll with Naomi Lucas

My 98th Stroll is a conversation with Naomi Lucas, Founder of Graduate Pro and Project Director of Africa’s Biggest Book Project. Naomi tells me about this project and why it is important to Africa’s Literature and Job market. Just like I do with all my guests, I also got Naomi to share two life lessons she has learned so far which have made her excellent in all her endeavours.

You can listen or download this interview on The Stroll Podcast. 

Queen's Young Leaders 2015: My Stroll with Nkechi Azinge

Backdrop

Recently honoured, alongside 59 other youths across the commonwealth, by the Queen of England for her work with the Sickle Cell Community in Nigeria, Nkechi Azinge, founder of Sickle Cell Aid Foundation (SCAF), tells me about her work, her passion, her dreams, and the incredible moment she met with the Queen and other dignitaries at Buckingham Palace.

Listen to this interview on the Stroll Podcast

How to Kick Polio: My Stroll with Kelechi Uhegwu

Backdrop

World Polio Day is slated for October 24th but I think this stroll cannot wait till then. Kelechi was diagnosed with polio when she was just over 1 year old, and three decades after that diagnosis she tells me how she’s been able to surmount the challenges life has brought her way to bag a degree, pursue and develop her talents, and keep her smile on.

Just in case you’re reading this and you’re already singing and dancing in your own pity party; making endless lists of excuses for why you should be mediocre or be a failure, Kelechi will make you think again. Here’s our conversation:

THE ELDERS OF THIS LAND -- Oyin Oludipe

                      (Photo Credit: Harry Garuba)

After Wole Soyinka’s The Children of this Land


The elders of this land are bowed

Their gazes sit on mines in place of hills,

Earth to breed the marsh from dust

Sensuous froth trailed by foul tongues

Their bristly groves are riddles for faith

Money, Women, and Development: My Stroll with Assistant-Secretary-General Lakshmi Puri, Deputy Executive Director, UN Women

Listen to this interview on the Stroll Podcast here

Backdrop

Often times when we think about women and money, the next thing that comes to mind is shopping or manicure, but my guest today will make you think again. Speaking to me from the International Conference on Financing for Development (#FFD3) which started on Monday 13th July, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Assistant-Secretary-General Lakshmi Puri explains why women need developmental financing and how it can help the International community achieve her 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

ASG Puri, who has decades of work experience at the United Nations, also shared some life lessons she has learned in course of her work as a diplomat and how we can all apply these lessons to our everyday life. Here are salient points from our conversation. To listen or download the full interview, visit The Stroll Podcast here

Wake Up Bomb

A large remote trigger car bomb, planted by ISIS, went off one street from my house at 6:28am Cairo Time. 

Abandoned Italian Consulate 1

I had been up all night for the 5th day, recovering from food poisoning and dehydration. I had only slept 1 hour. I was exhausted, emotional from the lack of sleep, and very out of sorts.

A small bang, then the thunder of an ear-popping explosion ripped through the house; which then began to shake, and shook for 5 minutes. Wait, is it another rare earthquake? Was that an explosion? I hoped it was a gasline , who wants to explain to their parents who have never lived in MENA region about a bomb near them? 

Reaping the Demographic Dividend: My Stroll With Under-Secretary-General Babatunde Osotimehin

Listen to this Interview on The Stroll Podcast, here

In course of the 25th anniversary of the World Economic Forum on Africa which held in Cape Town 3rd-5th of June 2015, I was lucky to secure a one-on-one with the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Under-Secretary-General Babatunde Osotimehin.

In course of our brief but very insightful conversation, USG Babatunde and I discussed his takeaways from his session at the World Economic Forum on Africa 2015; the focus of World Population Day 2015; and also about the lessons he has learnt on his journey so far. Here's my conversation with USG Babatunde.

Sustainable Drinking with Cups of Paper

Challenged by the excessive importation of goods and services in his country, a young Nigerian, Brian-Gabriel Ndubuisi, has co-founded his own manufacturing company, Cups of Paper, which produces Eco-friendly, customized, disposable paper cups suitable for event and household use. Brian's dream is to challenge other young Nigerians to change the narrative by not just creating jobs for themselves but also creating jobs for others, as well as inventing products and services good enough to be exported beyond the shores of Nigeria.

In course of my recent visit to Abuja, Brian took me to Cups of Paper's manufacturing factory, and it was an experience that inspired me and renewed my hope for a greener Nigeria.

ANNOUNCING THE 2015 MILEAD FELLOWS: Africa’s Most Outstanding Emerging Women Leaders

Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa proudly announces the 2015 MILEAD (Moremi Initiative Leadership and Empowerment Development) Fellows. This new cohort of MILEAD Fellows represent Africa’s most promising young women leaders with the courage and commitment to lead and shape the future of Africa. The Fellows were chosen through a highly competitive selection process and criteria based on their outstanding leadership promise, community service accomplishments, and commitment to the advancement of women in Africa. “These young exceptional leaders, no doubt represent the face of Africa’s promise.