₦airaland Forum

Disaster Watch Nigeria is a humanitarian organization and think thank focusing primarily on disaster management issues in Nigeria. Recently she launched the Disaster Management Report for 2013. Following the launch gaskiya.net met with the Executive Secretary Mr Abiodun Orebiyi. Excerpts below.

[b]Gaskiya.net: Congratulations on the release of the Nigeria Disaster Report 2013.

Abiodun Orebiyi: Thank you.

Gaskiya.net: What are the highlights of your report for 2013?

Abiodun Orebiyi: The DWNI 2013 Disasters Report for Nigeria made attempt to analyse patterns of emergencies in Nigeria, state by state. The report also tried to focus on the prevalence of each emergency and its impact on the economic and social life of the people of Nigeria. The critical issues of deaths, injuries, displacement and property destroyed have been given attention to enable us understand the devastating impacts of disasters on the environment, economy and social life. This will also enable us to determine the required disaster risk reduction strategies to be put in place.

Gaskiya.net: What has changed between 2012, when you issued your first ever report and 2013 in terms of the types of disasters we saw and the way Nigeria managed them?

Abiodun Orebiyi: Between 2012 and now, we have noticed that early warning strategies, community mobilisation and sensitisation for some disasters such as flooding, fire, building collapse, road accidents, pipeline vandalisation/explosions have improved likewise their management in terms of information, coordination, search and rescue and evacuation, but we still need to do more to achieve better disaster risk reduction. However this can not be said of conflict related emergencies which still lack proper early warning mechanism, good and adequate information management and mitigation strategies. People affected or under the threat of violent conflicts are still under serious danger of being caught unawares and in a confused situation. Most often the affected population are usually not sensitised or mobilised to understand the danger they are exposed to face.

Gaskiya.net: How serious is the impact of the insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria in terms on the civilian population?

Abiodun Orebiyi: The insurgency in the North East has devastated about 45% of the region. There is no doubt that this development has brought the region's economy, education, social life and agricultural activities to their knees. The region is practically struggling for breath. To date four out of the six states in this region are under the serious attacks of the insurgents, while one is under the burden of endemic communal conflicts. Even the remaining state in this region is not immune from the insurgent attacks since it had been attacked severally although not regularly like others. It is instructive to note that the development in the North East will definitely impact negatively on the economy social and education well-being of Nigeria in the nearest future. We should not pretend that all is well.

Gaskiya.net: Yours is probably the only organization publishing this type of report in Africa, are you planning to do the same in other countries?

Abiodun Orebiyi: Yes, we,are planning to publish the report in Liberia,Sierra Leone and Benin Republic very soon. However our ultimate aim is to have a West Africa- wide publication that will assist the people in having safe, secure and sustainable environment.[/b]

Read More at http://www.gaskiya.net/

BREAKING NEWS Ghana appoints Avram Grant as new national Team Coach

http://www.gaskiya.net/

[b]The week beginning 13th October 2014 saw the Nigerian political authorities announce a ceasefire with Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'Awati Wal-Jihad (People Committed to the Prophet's Teachings for Propagation and Jihad), otherwise known as Boko Haram. That announcement came as a surprise to many, especially because the Nigerian military was finally and almost in total dominance of the zones of engagement with Boko Haram and had put the insurgents on the run.
Those in favour of the surprise cessation cited the need to free the over 200 girls abducted earlier this year by the violent Islamic sect (the said release being the most critical part of the ceasefire deal). Furthermore, they contended that most of the young men being used as fighters by the sect were hapless Nigerian citizens who had been abducted against their will and who needed to be given a reprieve, which would come if hostilities ended. They also said that the economic ruin that the conflict has visited on northeastern Nigeria would take several years to rebuild and the longer the conflict continued, the more difficult it would be to do that hence the need to start exploring a political solution.

For those against the deal, it was unthinkable that an emerging victorious power would suddenly trade away its hard won victories on the battlefield, especially when it had not sufficiently dealt the type of blow needed to force Boko Haram acknowledge that it cannot win a military campaign and thus force it to renounce violence and opt for negotiations. To this group, it was unacceptable to consign the sacrifice of the troops and most recently, the sad and alleged brutal killing of a very courageous Nigerian Air Force fighter pilot by the insurgents into the dustbin.
Furthermore, those in this group aver that the rumoured demand for the release of certain Boko Haram commanders as part of the ceasefire deal would be counter-productive on the long run, as these hardened fighters are likely to return to the battlefield. Not a few, even outside of this group, believe that such commanders should be candidates of a war crimes trial. Fears were heightened that the recent deal between the Cameroonian authorities, in which thousands of dollars were allegedly paid as ransom to Boko Haram to secure the release of the wife of that country's Prime Minister (earlier kidnapped this year, and previously rumoured to have been freed by Cameroonian special forces—a mere propaganda it now seemed) and 10 Chinese nationals, had gifted the insurgents with badly needed cash with which to re-arm and recoup losses in the hands of Nigerian forces.
[/b]
Read more at http://www.gaskiya.net/

eleojo23:
Good post. A child needs both father and mother to become a balanced individual.

Although a mother’s love is undoubtedly irreplaceable, children need their fathers to develop healthily, too.
Reports show that even from birth, children who have an involved father are more likely to be emotionally secure, be confident to explore their surroundings, and, as they grow older, have better social connections.

That is why a father needs to create time for his kids despite his tight schedule.

You are spot on with your valued response. Most children need the two parents to effectively maximise their potentials. A child with a father that is involved will enjoy an extra buzz.

[b]Fatherhood is beyond bringing forth a child, paying their way through life and providing other material support. Fathers play an important role in the lives of their children. In fact I dare say one of the tests of real fatherhood lies in the ability to help your child maximise their potentials to the fullest through conscious efforts which includes guidance, support etc.
To put this in perspective let’s look at a few statistics :
• Over 90% of all runaway and homeless kids are from fatherless homes.
• 85% of children who exhibit behavioural disorders are from fatherless homes.
• 71% of secondary school drop outs are from fatherless homes.
• 70% of youths in prison are from fatherless homes. ( Wilson 1999) *
( US Department of Justice)

Unfortunately this is one area where a lot of fathers are finding it challenging to make an impact for a number of reasons. There are fathers who believe that this role is beyond them. They feel inadequate and unqualified because they do not occupy any seemingly high position in society. But fathers as mentors is about transmitting values such as honesty, integrity, faithfulness, hard work , etc to their children. Remember children learn a lot from what they see and so it is imperative that fathers lead by example. By being mentors to their children, fathers are also helping to raise a nation of good citizens as their children go on to become peer mentors.
Mentoring is not only an official / formal engagement as some have to come to see it. It is not for the non -governmental organizations alone or some other blue chip establishments. Within the family context it is one of the surest ways of ensuring that good values are well entrenched in the society via transference .
Today’s kids are going to need more than the basic education they are currently receiving to make any meaningful impact on their generation. They are going to need mentors – fathers as mentors.

Sina Adelaja-Olowoake
Parenting Strategies Consultant
The Hands On Daddy Initiative
[/b]

[b]Last week we talked about fathers getting involved in the lives of their kids. That article drew a lot of interest from the public with a lot of accompanying comments paramount amongst which was how fathers can build great relationships with their children.
Therefore this week we will spend time to look at some helpful tips.
First I would like to state clearly here that a parent / child relationship does not have to be an expensive project. This is one area a lot of parents get it wrong and are still missing the point. They think to build a good relationship with their children they need to spend a fortune. This is wrong. My personal experience and the experiences of other parents including the results of professional studies show that what children crave most from their parents is ATTENTION. Kids like other humans, crave acceptance. They want to feel accepted and wanted especially by their parents. That is their number one need and if fathers can recognise this, it can be a very good place to start to build a great relationship with their kids.

SPECIAL TIME. Depending on the age of the child, fathers can create a special time where they give their kids undivided attention for maybe 10 minutes everyday. Explain to the child it is a time just for the two of you to play. Let them share their world with you and you just play along. If the kids are slightly older and your time can permit it, it might taking them or picking them up from school. If the environment permits, a game of football or table tennis might do the trick. The main thing is that you do these regularly with your kids.
Look for something that you can fit in. There is an activity that you can fit in no matter your schedule.
I would like to emphasise that fathers get involved in their kids lives very early. Yes I am aware of situations where there has been a breakdown in the relationship. In such circumstances, the father involved needs to patiently try to win the trust of the child(ren) involved. This is bound to be time consuming but he needs to work at it slowly until the kid(s) are able to trust him and open up their lives to him.
The biggest advantage of having a good relationship with your kid from an early age is that it forms the bedrock of your future relationship with that same child and just continues like that. I have seen this many times that even when the child grows into an adult, they still have a wonderful relationship with their father.

COMMUNICATION. Men seem to struggle generally with effective communication. But no matter how trips you make to the shopping mall or how many football games you play with your son, if there is no communication between you, I am afraid there can't be a relationship. Communication is an essential ingredient in any relationship whether between father and son or any other parties. Listen to your children. They love to be heard. Take on board their fears. Reassure them. When you speak to them ensure they understand you. Use language that paints a positive picture. One thing fathers must understand is that their children are influenced by their fathers. Therefore project a successful outlook so that you can sow the seed of success in them.

Spending time with the kids, communicating with them and reinforcing positive role models are just some of the ways fathers can build loving and meaningful relationships with their children.

Sina Adelaja-Olowoake
Parenting Strategies Coach
Hands On Daddy[/b]

Those moments spent with our Dad's are priceless

[b]Parenting is a role most people have come to perform without any formal training or previous experience. The transition to parenthood is often likened to waking up and suddenly realizing that one had become a parent.
As various aspects of life witness and embrace changes, parenting too has undergone a lot of changes with a view of helping to produce well balanced kids and wholesome families.
In most western climes, more and more men are taking on traditional roles previously associated with housewives. It is now common to see a high percentage of men involved in every facet of the children’s lives from school runs to cooking them meals and even accompanying them on school trips.
But this is yet to catch on in Africa where most men attach those roles to women ( these include grandmothers, mothers aunties and even house helps) and would not engage with their children unless it is absolutely necessary. The thought that the role of a lot of black men within the household is limited to the provision of finances and disciplinary strategies is wrong.
The children long for your touch. They long to hear you talk to them – not just when they’ve done something wrong but also when they excel. They want to hear daddy’s praise.
Men who continue to shy away from interacting with their children on a daily basis are depriving themselves of some of the joys of fatherhood. That old belief that men should not express emotions is nothing but a big fat lie and should be seen for what it really is.
Men all over the world have a lot to contribute to parenting and African men should not see themselves as exceptions. [/b]
Sina Adelaja-Olowoake
Parenting Strategies Coach

[b]Is Automation Responsible for Unemployment?
SAO The Employment Coach

Following the wave of unemployment that swept through many countries around the world recently, many researchers have hit the road trying to find out what was responsible.
The first major cause often advanced is the credit crunch. While some believe that this cause alone is responsible for the current high unemployment, there are those that say this plus a host of other factors are the reasons why many people remain unemployed today.
One of those other reasons advanced is automation. Wikipedia describes automation as various control systems for operating equipment such as machinery, processes in factories etc with very minimal human input.
It is plain to see immediately that as human input decreases in the production of goods and services, it is bound to have a negative effect on the labour market.
Click below to read more
http://saotheemploymentcoach..co.uk/2014/09/is-automation-responsible-for.html[/b]

Two things I used to miss living outside Nigeria were food and music. Somehow we overcame the food big but the music was still far from what I longed for.....until yesterday when I was privileged to be a guest at a 50th birthday celebration. Food was good but I was indeed shocked to get authentic owambe music through a new kid on the block -Olusegun Ologo & his band.
These guys look relaxed and in control dishing out Nigerian Golden Oldies. For once I felt I was back home. The sound engineer was tight ensuring clean clear sound reproduction. Soon Olusegun Ologo will be a household name. Until then I will just keep playing back those moments in my head

WOW. Why do we Nigerians love to beat ourselves over the head so much? Yes there are issues with this site and as honest Nigerians we want a transparent and honest system to trade on but there are many sites abroad that are just like OLX. One of them is www.gumtree.com In the UK gumtree users have suffered exactly the same kind of losses that people have suffered on OLX but I have not heard the British calling themselves a country of scammers. We need to be careful as to how we describe ourselves on social networking sites.
All said it would be great for OLX to improve it's security features.

His
Imperial
Majesty
Emperor Haile Selasie

Jah Rastafri !!!!!

This was the kind of confusion that led to the last world war. Hmmmmm.

Hi All,
Sorry for the late response to your personal requests. I have just sent some samples to the email addresses you left here.
I have already posted the cv and cover letter samples in the previous pages but I have also been sending these to individuals. But recently I have been overwhelmed by a lot of requests and because of my short course at the University of Maryland which only ended on November 11 2013, I have not been able to reply as quickly as I would have wanted.
The CV's can be adapted for any industry same for the cover letter.
I am sorry I can't do a tailor made CV for every industry. Individuals can simply adapt using the format I have given. It is that simple.
Thanks once more for your messages.
Wishing you all the best in your search.

Hi guys. CV's sent. Check your email boxes

naijacutee: Ecommerce is still quite new in Nigeria, & is experiencing lots of challenges. However their failings present opportunities for competitors to enter the market and thrive. At least, if you decide to set up yours, you know key areas where you can make changes to improve customer experience.

Even in the UK where people have been buying online for many years, I know of NO stores that offer same day delivery. The best I've seen is a next day delivery policy, which is only valid when you buy before a certain time. Amazon is one if the best at this because they run on one of the most sophisticated inventory systems in the world. Their plans for the future include using robots to pick customers orders. If you take into account the process behind an order coming through to the back end, the process behind finding the order and dispatching it, you'll see it's not easy for large online retailers (unless you have a better idea). Recently, i found that Austin Reed, the high end UK clothes retailer offer delivery times of 5-10 days with NO next day delivery option. Here's a link which explains Amazons logistics system, and how they plan to improve it even more.http://www.geekosystem.com/amazon-kiva-robots/

NEXT has raised the bar. Order from NEXT before 10pm and get the items delivered the next day. You can even specify when you want it. That is a 24 hour turn around. But we have to take into considerations the environment in Nigeria. I guess Jumia will get there someday soon. I worked for one of the pioneer online retailers serving Nigeria and Ghana which sadly is rested now. What we have today is a slight improvement on what we did then. So things will surely get better

Fear of the unknown is a very present factor most entrepreneurs have to face. Sometimes it is the determinant between remaining stagnant or moving forward. You have done well to have gone to acquire additional skills. As the other contributor has posited, perhaps you need additional resources that will help you launch the business on a sound footing. These you can get by further study - not necessarily by going through another course but by self study and analysing current trends.
Are there others in the business you intend to pursue? Study them. Why are they doing well? Why are they struggling?
Is it the range of products?
Is it their location?
Is the shop welcoming enough?
Do you really need a shop or are you thinking of introducing a new sales strategy?
Most banks / insurance firms have Monday management meetings. Perhaps you want to introduce cup cakes to them which they can have at the end of the meetings.
Open yourself to a lot of good influence. Read wide. I am sure thete are success stories in your field on Google. Do all that is necessary. I am sure you will know when you are ready.
I am a personal development coach and business mentor. Contact me if you need further help.
Wishing you all the best.

WHY DID YOU DUMP THAT IDEA?
SEE HOW CRAZY IDEAS MAKE MONEY TODAY

How many times have you thought of a money making idea only to abandon it half for being too dumb. When the idea hit you the first time you were sure it was the idea that would bring you the millions but as you thought about the process more intensely, you became more and more convinced the idea wouldn’t stand in the face of tough scrutiny.
Well maybe if only you had persevered on a bit your idea would have been part of the ones we will be looking at below. Some of those who went on with “those dumb ideas” have found themselves laughing all the way to the bank.

FRIEND RENTAL SERVICE
We all grew up being someone's friend, but we never got paid for it. Well, today is an entirely different era. You can now get paid for being a friend. All you have to do is create your profile in RentAFriend.com, set your hourly rate, and wait for somebody who is interested in hanging out with you. It's a win-win situation right there.
Rent A Friend allows you to create a free friendship profile, where you can charge up to $50 an hour to be rented for social events and activities such as weddings, sporting events, concerts, movies, operas, hiking, biking and dining.
Site owner Scott Rosenbaum got the idea from dating sites. He noticed that nobody was offering mere friendship and he wanted to "go a step back" from dating sites. Therefore, this is a strictly platonic website.

SELLING BUTTERFLIES
Selling butterflies and making millions? It doesn't seem conceivable, but Jose Muniz has managed to pull it off. You can get your very own live butterfly from Jose, who started the business based on a bet.
It all began when a friend bet him $100 that he could not sell butterflies for a living. Now, seven years later, the former business consultant and his wife, Karen, own Amazing Butterflies (amazingbutterflies.com), a live-butterfly distributor with offices in Tamarac, Fla. and San Jose, with a projected $1 million in revenue in 2006.

HAND BAG RENTAL
This is one of the fastest growing internet based business ideas. Renting a purse makes a lot of sense for those who want a luxury handbag but can't afford to spend the hundreds of dollars required and will probably tire of it after a few months or even weeks anyway. The owner of From Bags to Riches, a purse rental company, says their average customer "is between 26 and 35 years old with an annual income between $50,000 and $75,000," and if not for rentals, which cost as little as $20/month could afford no more than one designer bag a year.
Read more
http://www.yookos.com/community/ukzone2/blog/2013/09/20/live-blogwhy-did-you-dump-that-idea-by-shyne-sina-o-ake

While the release of BlackBerry's new smartphones running the BB 10 OS have so far failed to generate widespread interest, one product that actually kept millions waiting has hit the pause button. The much-awaited global rollout of BlackBerry's BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) app for Android and iPhone has been stopped by BlackBerry citing technical issues.

Read more at: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/blackberry-pauses-bbm-for-android-and-iphone-rollout-blames-leaked-app/423778-11.html?utm_source=ref_article

@Sike.
A cover letter MUST BE PRINTED. I don't think anyone submits handwritten letters these days.
Yes submit in the same envelope as the CV.
Well if you are thinking of applying randomly why don't you create the letter and save it. Then edit the address every time you need it and just print.
Will not advise that you send a handwritten letter because your handwriting might even be your downfall. If the employer can't read your letter, due to bad handwriting, you can be sure they wont even bother look at your CV.
I hope this helps.

REHOZIBAH: Wunderbar! Where there's no vision....the people perish...

Fashola keeps putting the sword to every attempt to make Lagos operate like a junkyard with clinical and classical cutting edge democratic deliverables

Big Up unnu chest Oga Fashola!

REHOZIBAH mi idren. Nuff respect in every aspect. Ah long time FASHOLA did ah run de place . Jah know

weazley: Edit dat link its not clikable

Fixed. Thanks for the observation

Sterling Bank is recruiting DIRECT SALES EXECUTIVE any location closing date 06 Sept 2013
TRAINEES any location closing date 31 August 2013.
For more information click

http://saotheemploymentcoach..co.uk/

or

http://hr.sterlingbankng.com/

Work hard to find work.
Sina Adelaja-Olowoake. SAO The Employment Coach
The high rate of unemployment around the world is no longer news. Everyday millions of CV’s are sent to companies around the world with a view of landing that much needed job. More than at any other time, statistics reveal joblessness to be at its’ highest especially amongst young people.
But despite the gloomy picture many people are still able to secure employment. How are they able to do this despite the huge odds against them?

1. PLAN. It is sad to note that most jobseekers do not have any plan towards securing employment. Some are even at a loss as to where to start or how to start their search. It is advisable to have a plan. The first thing this connotes is that you are serious about looking for a job. Your individual plan must be tailored to your needs. It might include how many times a week you want to devote to job search, which locations you intend to search and what kind of jobs you want to look for.

2. EVALUATE YOUR PLAN. It is good to have a plan but even better if you evaluate your plan periodically. Make changes where necessary. For example regularly update your CV including new changes. If something in the original plan is no longer applicable edit appropriately.


3. NETWORK. Job recruitment companies and other known establishments are good for helping to secure employment but these are not the only avenues open to jobseekers. Lately there has been a rise in the use of social media for the sole purpose of finding employment. Popular sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Linkedin are now being used by jobseekers.

For more information click on this link http://saotheemploymentcoach..co.uk/2013/08/work-hard-to-find-work.html

Sorry guys for the late response. Just sent the samples.

A self taught designer who surprised many with the quality of her work was Tumisola Ladega of Nigerian descent. She is only 14.
" I started designing many years ago. My designs were simple but they've definitely progressed since then and got more professional and more edgy" Ms Ladega told the BBC.
She will be showing the full range of her new collection MONO CHAIN at the Maryland Fashion Expo in Baltimore on Sunday 11 August 2013. The show however is on from 9 - 11 August 2013
Last year she won the FDC Young Designer of the Year award in London and was at the Florida Fashion Expo in October 2012.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23551208

@biobio. Unfortunately it is no secret that employers are quite choosy when it comes to prospective employees. Whether it's in Nigeria or the United Kingdom, more and more employers are opting for younger candidates sometimes preferring age over experience. For a lot of positions, they prefer candidates under 35. And for some others they prefer candidates under 45.
The CV format I have adopted is universal in nature.
I always advise the same layout in this order
Name, contact details - Telephone, email address etc. Then it's
1. Personal Statement ( You can look up examples via google)
2. Career Objective ( " )
3. Key Skills ( Make sure it is related to the job you are applying for)
4. Education / Training
5. Work Experience
6. Interests and hobbies.
7. Referees.
I also warn against the bio data column. Especially if you are 57 years of age, a lot of employers might discriminate against you without even giving you an opportunity at an interview.
At 57 I would want to say your CV can be up to 3 pages and should highlight skills and experience. I have said a lot on CV's on this forum. You can look at other posts on this topic. Such as Dressing for interviews, Time Management etc.

Hey Guys
Can we be a little responsible please?
Kindly check your email address again to make sure it is correct because I am getting returned mails.


Might be the reason prospective employers can't contact you because your details are incorrect.

Check your email inbox

Franky826: thanks so much Mr shinor I got it and it has been so helpful

You are welcome.

Some of the responses that have recently been posted here are not the opinion of the original poster.
One thing I continually emphasise is the use of the right tenses and correct spellings. I would want to believe that if anyone seeks to advice job seekers on writing their CV's at least the tenses and words should be correct.