Paul Orajiaka, a 37 year-old Nigerian entrepreneur, is the founder of Auldon Limited, a manufacturer of African-themed toys. Auldon manufactures dolls and other toys which depict, promote and teach Africa’s cultural heritage to children. Orajiaka founded the company 17 years ago with less than $100; it now has annual revenues of more than $10 million.

Apart from Nigeria, Auldon’s toys are now sought after in countries like South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, and some parts of Europe. Last year, Auldon launched the Unity Girl Dolls, a set of multi-cultural dolls clad in the traditional attires of Nigeria’s major ethnic groups. It has been a runaway success and a tremendous hit among Nigerian parents and their daughters.

Orajiaka is currently studying for a Doctorate in Business Administration [DBA] at Henley Business School of the University of Readin, majoring in Entrepreneurship. The interviewer recently had a chat with him where he recounted his journey and spoke about his future plans.  

Why did you decide to venture into manufacturing African-themed toys?

I grew up in Warri in Southern Nigeria, and I did my secondary school education in Benin state. I recall that immediately after my secondary school education at Igbinedion Secondary School, Benin City, my sole ambition was to travel to the United States to seek the proverbial greener pastures. I never exactly planned to venture into the toy business. I was 18 at the time and determined to leave Nigerian at all costs. So, along with my friends, I made countless unfruitful trips to the American embassy in pursuit of an American visa. Eventually, all my friends were given visas, except me.

Naturally, I became dejected and ashamed. I had no clue as to what my next line of action was going to be. So I decided to stay back in Lagos and not return to my hometown where I would be mocked by my friends. You see, a lot of shame was attached to my disappointment at that time, being the only one out of all my friends who was denied an opportunity to go the U.S. So I decided that the only way out for me was to stay back in Lagos and work with my in-law in Idumota market and that is how that reluctant step taken out of frustration ended up becoming my glorious journey to success and fulfillment.

Idumota is a very saturated business hub and it’s not exactly the classiest place. Very few young men I know would like to start out in a place like that? How demanding was it building a business from Idumota?

I look back now and smile because it was indeed a difficult decision to make at that time. Idumota is largely congested and is a hustle-driven environment. It wasn’t fun at all. I felt like a fish thrown into a sea, filled with sharks and there I was trying hard not to be eaten up. All these factors emboldened me to strive in making a mark.  With this in mind, I had no choice but to get used to it.

Not long after settling in, the lid on my eyes were taken off after I came across young men who were doing extremely well in their different spheres of business.

Just before, I got too carried away I realized it was equally imperative, that I go back to school and get educated. So while I was working for my in-law, I enrolled as an accounting student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), after which I proceeded to getting a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Lagos Business School, Pan-African University (PAN). Expectedly, after graduating from school, I became better equipped for the journey ahead, which saw me take the management and administration of my business to a greater scale.

Today, I can confidently beat my chest and say, a humble beginning which started about 17 years ago as a small venture, is now a leading company, importing and supplying top quality range of educational toys to wholesalers and retailers in Nigeria.  Going back, 1997, when we started, our capital base was just $30, but as at 2014, the company’s turnover has surged to over a $7 million. We have also metamorphosed into a Limited Liability company, status, which we attained in 2002 employing well over 400 people, inclusive of direct and indirect.

Nigeria is not known to be a conducive environment that enables small businesses to thrive. What gave you the drive to forge on amid challenges you must have encountered, especially funding?

You are not far from the truth; I almost gave up because initially, it was an uphill task building this business from scratch, especially without funding from banks. It was near impossible to continue, but my frustration and anger at the banking system coupled with lack of support, only made me further persevere, be more passionate and determined to ensure that the business grew. I tell you, it would be unfair to blame or criticize some Nigerian entrepreneurs who fail to surmount the numerous challenges which stifle their growth. That said, I have come to realize- despite the myriad of challenges bedeviling them, which range from power, lack of funds, wickedly high bank interest, lack of infrastructure e.t.c. An entrepreneur can still attain success, if he/she can recapture the passion and emotions of its beginning likewise inculcate same in its staff.

What led to the Unity Doll Project?

Over the years, my attention got drawn to the painful fact that our cultural values is fast eroding,  because most parents this days, shy away from teaching their children about their culture but instead allow them imbibe foreign cultures which robs them off their identity and very existence as   Nigerians.

I was saddened to see that most toys in Nigeria have no social and cultural relevance to children.

For me that was a vacuum, I needed to feel urgently, so I swung into action in order to make that important change, and that change gave birth to the Unity Girl Doll Project, a collection of 14-inch child developmental dolls that represent Nigeria’s three major tribes – Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba – delivering a social message to infants across the country and by extension the world at large, enlightening them about the Nigerian culture, allowing them have a sense of ownership early in life which puts them in good stead to making a positive impact when they are grown.

For me my passion is educating them before time with positive Nigerian values and that’s why all the dolls have contents which teach them all the positive stories and values they need to inculcate as they grow.

With all the challenges threatening to tear us apart coupled with the tribal sentiments causing division among us, we have asked ourselves what will unify us as a country. Although we have diverse cultures, our strength comes from our diversity that is why we did our research and decided to inculcate in our infants the need to embrace their indigenous culture and that of others early on. By so doing, it becomes easy to love others, because the message that we are one is passed to them from the beginning, also we are mindful of the fact that the girl child is a future mother, and would be home a keeper someday that would keep the home and by extension the nation together. So you would agree with me that it is only wise to give them the needed positive start that would make them great mothers, with their very first doll.

We have created a doll that is bound to inculcate in them the following, moral values, social values, social relevance and natural uniqueness which distinguishes us from foreign cultures alien from ours.

The dolls come in 14-inch sizes and are dressed in local attires likewise posses the following characters; Amaka (Ibo), Ronke (Yoruba) and Aisha (Hausa). The three dolls contain booklets that tell you about the rich culture, robust background, language and all other important detail of the three main tribe; Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba. One other thing worthy of mentioning is to present the Nigerian girl in looks peculiar to her, not the kind of looks that do not really represent Africa. What we have done is to create dolls that have relevance to us, look like us and portray our image in the right manner.

As it concerns the age bracket, we try to create a doll that a child as young as one year can use. The dolls have other features that older kids can use also. The Unity Doll also possesses beads, which children can customise and wear on the dolls, or on themselves.  We tried to make the dolls fit for any young girl to use so that at every stage of her life, she finds something relevant to her age in the dolls. But our target, are children between the ages of 1- 10 years.

How well have Nigerians taken to the Unity Doll and how strong are your distribution channels?

I am very pleased at the level of acceptance of these dolls and our other toys all over the country which has been massive and this are connected to the following reasons, namely; affordability, premium quality, availability, uniqueness and most importantly the educative value the dolls offer. So it is safe to say we are a market leader with strong prospect for increased growth. Currently, we distribute to all leading retail outlets and supermarkets across the country, namely Game, Shoprite, Spar, Next, Park n Shop Emab, and so on, the list goes on. Our visibility level is very high and that’s because there is a growing level of attachment between the dolls and our target market which are the girl child ranging from age1 – 10 and their parents. Unity Dolls has also started a fan club for the girl child where they can be groomed with positive key values needed to grow, and it is open to all children who fall within the stipulated age, 1-10. All they need do is register or have their parents register for them to become members on Unitygirlfanclub.com website. We also hope to increase distribution and presence over a period.

Teachers also appreciate it, for obvious reasons the educational value it gives and the fact that children learn faster when they are taught with fun things that easily captures their attention. That is why, If you observe these days, most things in nature are replicated in toys.

For instance, when teaching a child about fruits say an Apple, you show him a replica of that fruit, so he/ she can grasp easily, same goes for animals, e.g.  Zebra, you must show the child a zebra toy because children no longer go to Zoos to see animals.  In the same vein, you find children learning how to become engineers by dismantling and assembling toys.

That’s why I always appeal that parents buy educative toys that possess good quality for their children. You need to be sure of the quality. Toys should be safe   for children to play with. We want to be sure that children play with toys that have social relevance and not ones that teach violence. That is why if you go around our shops, you will never find a gun toy in whatever form. We do not even sell toys that have violent features. We ensure that our toys are 90 per cent educative.  We deal more in educational toys because we believe that aside being in business, we want to impact positive values on our children.

Any plans for the future?

At the moment we are working very hard on a number of ideas targeted at ensuring that Unity Dolls are present in every home in the country two years from now; also Auldon is hoping to strategically set up offices and retail outlets in the 36 states of the country most importantly satisfying our ever increasing demand for the dolls. New educative features that would engage and thrill children are also been conceptualized by our research team.

Also in the next five years we are planning to replicate a family fun resort, in the mould of Disney, after which our eyes are set on expanding to other frontiers, both Europe and Africa. Already there has been significant level of demand for Unity dolls, in Europe and Africa, Particularly Africa. What we hope to do in those places is to first of all gain significant presence in select countries in both climes, particularly Africa, especially where demand is highest after which we would then start customizing/ adapting the Unity Dolls into their own culture. We would love to one day be like ToysRus, the world’s leading kids store for all kind of toys.

Another thing; Auldon is considering assembling toys in the country so that it can create more jobs for people. Nigeria does not have the expertise to manufacture world-class toys, so what we plan on doing is get Completely Knocked Down Toys (CKG’S) that will be assembled here in the country. To this effect we have set the ball in motion to partner Lagos State Technical and Vocation Education board, where we can teach the students the process of assembling CKG’s after which they are employed after graduation.

Are there CSR initiatives you intend to embark on?

Yes, Auldon is very passionate about CSR, there is quite a lot we have done and especially in the area of education. No good man forgets where he is coming from. As part of our policy, my company ensures that part of the proceeds from the sale of our toys is donated to some reputable non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for the promotion of the girl-child education. There is also a percentage   that has been set aside for   the promotion of the girl -child   education from each doll sold. If you look at UNICEF statistics concerning the girl child, you will find out that the Nigerian girl-child is one of the most disadvantaged   in the world. Statistics has shown that the girl-child, especially from the Northern part of Nigeria, suffers from neglect in all ramifications. We are aware that little contributions like this, as well as working with reputable girl-child foundations, would make a great difference.

Also, Auldon has just concluded the renovation of some schools in dire need of refurbishing. A school in Ikorodu which was in a sorry site has just been completed and would soon be commissioned by the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola. I also take it upon myself to lecture students, in all Technical colleges across Lagos State, business skills that would see them become independent after graduation.

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Last year more than 13,000 people were deported from the UK - but what happens if you can't even pronounce the name of the place they're sending you back to?

"More than anything I feel cheated out of my life. They've taken everything I had - my family, my friends, my dignity."

A loud noise interrupts Shadreck Mbiru mid-flow on the phone from his new home; it doesn't stop. I have to ask and it turns out it's a very noisy cockerel, not something Shadreck was used to having around at his previous home in London.

The 26-year-old hasn't yet adapted to life in Chitungwiza, a town in Zimbabwe around half an hour from Harare that the locals say he pronounces strangely. He left Britain on a plane from Heathrow escorted by UK border staff in November.

Shadreck has been deported back to the country in which he was born - a victory for the Home Office, which had been trying for eight years to secure his removal.

His life is not in danger in Zimbabwe - he concedes this.

The problem for Shadreck is that he arrived in the UK at 13, he went to school and college in London and all that passing of time means he's ended up as a Londoner in Africa - one that feels he doesn't belong.

"I'd established a life in London, my friends are British; I like what you like," he says.

"The system doesn't look at people, at individuals. Where are the principles and the morals? My family are there, that's what I don't understand."

When questioned about Shadreck's case, a spokesperson said: "When someone is found not to need our protection, we expect them to leave the country voluntarily. Where they do not we will seek to enforce their departure."

His sister was given indefinite leave and his mother discretionary - none of the family can tell me why they can stay and Shadreck can't, though they suspect being female and his sister having a child helped her case to remain in the UK.

'Weirdest weeks'
Shadreck had spent the last three years in an immigration detention centre unsuccessfully fighting his case.

"It's been the strangest, weirdest four weeks of my life," he says.

"I really don't know how I'm going to last. I'm so hot, I can't sleep and I'm covered head to toe in mosquito bites. I'm losing weight fast."

An aunt has taken in Shadreck and he says he and her four daughters keep arguing about their way of life.

"It's totally different from England," he says.

"There's no public transport; you have to go in these combi vans with three people on a seat. The food is strange and there are fake products everywhere, even the Colgate toothpaste isn't real, it tastes really funny." He laughs.

Shadreck says at the moment he is mostly staying inside. He is starting to look for work but everyone keeps telling him there are few jobs and you have to have connections to get them.

At first he says being free felt good after three years in immigration detention. But now he says his new reality is scary.

Shadreck's mum is now his only source of income - she has a job in the UK and passed on some money to him at Heathrow.

His mother, sister and brother-in-law came to the airport to say goodbye but weren't allowed to see him - according to Shadreck the border guards said if he saw his family he may have got emotional and refused to get on the plane.

That day at Heathrow was Shadreck giving up - he signed his deportation papers himself in the end.

The border guards collected some clothes and money from his family to hand over, they said goodbye on the phone and Shadreck flew out of London.

His story always stuck out because of the strong London accent of the man due to return to Zimbabwe.

He arrived as a visitor in 2002, aged 13, and his mother applied for leave for him to remain as a dependant multiple times, but this was never approved.

At this stage Shadreck says he knew very little about his immigration status, or even what "immigration status" was.

He says it wasn't until he was in college that it became apparent that it would be an issue.

At 18 an application was made for asylum for Shadreck - this was refused and his appeal rights were exhausted in October 2009, by which time he was 21.

Since then he's been prosecuted repeatedly for failing to return to Zimbabwe and his final appeal was refused in April.

So does Shadreck see why the government had to send him back?

"Not if you've given most of your life to a country," he says.

"Now I regret ever going to the UK. If I had stayed here I would have a family and a job. Now I'm back here with nothing."

Shakdreck accepts that from many quarters there will be little sympathy for his story - however sad his situation, he had run out of options to stay.

"Some people will think I'm just another immigrant, they'll be glad I got sent back here," he says.

"Even some of my friends might think it's funny - they might laugh.

"But this is my dignity."

*This is a #Throwback Post
*Culled from BBCAfrica Magazine

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On the next episode of RealTalk Undressed [S01E02], the topic "Do you think that Language has affected your stay and study in TRNC as an International Student?" will be discussed.

When you move to another country to study, the language barrier can be one of the major factors to contribute to culture shock. As you live, eat and breathe in another language it can certainly be exhausting, at least at first, but rest assured 24-hour immersion in a language and culture is one sure fire way of learning the lingo.

Lin: When I first came here from China, I feel language was my biggest challenge.  I had a lot of problems understanding my classes, as well as communicating with my classmates.

Why do the international students have Class attendance breach issues? In an article written by senior psychology lecturer Christopher Lennings of the University of Sydney, He discusses the loneliness suffered by international students and the isolation they feel because of the language barrier and culture shock.

David from Nigeria, "The other day i went to buy drugs for my cold/flu. The drug woman couldn't understand what i was trying to explain. I waited 30 mins for her friend to drive from another place to the drugstore in order to translate"

WATCHOUT for RealTalk Undressed STREET REPORTERS as we ask the STREET How Language Barrier has affected their stay in TRNC...

ALSO our Real Talkers in the studio session will be discussing the topic and sharing ideas in our Next Episode of RealTalk Undressed. Subscribe to our YouTube channel today so you don't miss any episode.

Language barrier and culture shock can cause loneliness and this can have devastating consequences, including lack of socialization, Missed classes which could lead to bad grades, Depression, Insomnia, Lack of Appetite and possible health issues.

CIU Student, Tadiwa from Zimbabwe, "As I am an international student, I can understand this situation. Although I have some English skill, when I came here, I still felt stress and it has already influenced my study. I became very sad and worried about whether I could finish these subjects successfully"

The language barrier and culture shock has become the big issue for international students studying in TRNC but it is a natural phenomenon. As international students, we should deal with this situation rather than let it influence our study.

One of the tried-and-tested best ways to improve in a foreign language is to dive right in with native speakers. Overcoming the language barrier can be tough-going, but the buzz of being able to live, work and express yourself in another language is definitely worth the hard work!

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS from intelligent minds:

1. Resist the crutch of familiarity: During my stay and study in TRNC as an Iranian student, I quickly found myself seeking out Iranian roommates, walking back from school with Iranian classmates and speaking my native language.

I realized soon thereafter that my feeling “at home” was simply a symptom of a failure to step outside my cocoon to immerse myself in a new people, culture and language.

Over the next few months, I attended language coffee chats, signed up with a local host family, and even took my first  local dancing class.

By consciously stepping outside my comfort zone, I learnt infinitely more about the local customs and culture than I would have sitting in front of a computer, Googling and watching videos on YouTube.

2. Be an ambassador for your culture:  Remember that your “hosts” might be just as inquisitive and anxious about your culture and language as you are about theirs. What can you do to meet them half way across the cultural and language divide?  Have you considered cooking your favorite local dish from back home and inviting people over for dinner? Or teaching others common phrases in your language for when they visit your country?

Break down walls around you to celebrate what makes you unique, and you’ll find others doing the same.

3. Have a local “go-to” friend: Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself in situations where cultural or language differences present a barrier to critical conversations or amazing learning experiences.

Make sure you have a multilingual friend on speed-dial, who understands local nuances and can help you communicate. There are also human-powered translation apps such as VerbalizeIt, that can help you travel with the confidence that language and cultural support is just a phone call away.

A study abroad experience offers the unique opportunity experience and adapt to communication and culture in a foreign setting. Arm yourself with the right mindset and tools before you travel, and you will come out with a whole new perspective on the world and your place within it!



*Subscribe to RealTalk Undressed YouTube channel

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(ASGA 2016) that will be Hosted by the Eastern Mediterranean University. ASGA is the Biggest African Award Celebrated annually that was initiated in 2012 by Temitope Shoniyi, former Nigerian Students Society Eastern Mediterranean University, to United all African Students on the Island (North Cyprus) and Celebrate Students that have been performing excellently in combining academics and extra-curricular Activities, which is the primary aim of coming to North Cyprus.

The 2016 ASGA is tagged "Celebrating Africa's Diversity" this means that it will be centered on celebrating the cultural diversity of Africa. More so, the decision to celebrate the award in the African way will give room for true representation and display of our Cultural heritage.

So far, over 8 African Countries are involved in the organization of the 2016 edition, namely;

Algeria

Eritrea

Botswana

Zimbabwe

Nigeria

Tunisia

Egypt

Cameroon

Libya

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CLICK HERE FOR THE NOMINEES LIST

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...and other African Countries who will be joining as preparations intensifies. NO DOUBT THE 2016 ASGA PROMISES TO BE UNIQUE AND FUN.

For more information, please CLICK HERE

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The search is on for the most beautiful African girl in EMU! Are you an African girl, smart, bold & beautiful? Do you think you have what it takes to be crowned the next Miss EMU Africa.

However, if you feel you are not 'the one' explained above and know someone who fits the description, get the information across to them.

APPLICATION FORMS NOW AVAILABLE. CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE

Miss Africa EMU 2016 Beauty Pageant application form is now available at the EMU International office. You can get it there, fill the form and return it back to the EMU International Office or to any of the Africa Society representative.

Deadline for form submission is on the 25th of April 2016.

DATE OF EVENT is on the 2nd of May 2016.

The winner of the Pageant and runner ups are expected to go home with amazing prizes.

*Follow updates on FACEBOOK
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TRAGEDY: 26 Year Old Female Cameroonian Student Dies in an Accident in Nicosia, TRNC
A Cameroonian student identified as Miss Fabiola Grace Mawe, was killed in a tragic car accident in Lefkosa, TRNC  on Thursday, March 24, 2016...Click to Read More Learn more »

International Student in TRNC laments: "Disappointed that I could not cross to South Cyprus"

I am very disappointed. Due to the news written about the border crossing, I attempted to get to the south side as I have never been, ...READ MORE

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Concerning the effort by the management of CIU to open a Naira account for Nigerian students in TRNC to pay their school fees in Nigeria, here's the updated exchange rate for the Euro.

According to CIU management "For the Nigerian students who would like to pay their fees to our Naira account in GT Bank (Nigeria) please consider the following information:

From the date of 02/March/2016 the exchange rate for 1 Euro would be equivalent to 330 Naira."

Concerned students are by this advised to pay in the exact amount for the semester tuition using the updated exchange rate.

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TRNC Minister of National Education Kemal Dürüst announced that the Nişantaşı University from Turkey will be opening up a campus in Güzelyurt.

Speaking during an event he attended, Dürüst said that the new university campus will be serving and offering education to around 500 students.

The Minister of National Education also expressed the view that the opening of the Nişantaşı University’s North Cyprus campus will contribute to the development of businesses and services in the area.

He also announced that initiatives will be launched for development loans to be given to local businesses and investors so as to build new investments such as dormitories and housing for students.

Also touching upon the Cyprus negotiations during his speech, the Minister of National Education said that it was out of the question to return Güzelyurt to Greek Cypriots in the event of a settlement after all this investment and struggle waged for the area.

“Be prepared for development and growth in Güzelyurt” he said.

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Aw, snap! This blog post has moved! Please click here to read.

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On the 16th of February 2016, the Nigerian Students Society [NSS-EMU] wrote the management of Eastern Mediterranean University [EMU] concerning the hardship facing Nigerian students with regards to tuition fees payment and other matters. In the letter, NSS-EMU executives pointed out 'current financial developments in the Nigerian economy may pose as an obstruction to the smooth process of the school fees payment as and when due by Nigerias'

The letter which was received by the management of EMU in good faith has gotten an official response from the school. Below is the reply as given by Eastern Mediterranean University;

"SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT UPDATE:

Greatest Nigerian Students. Still on the struggle, the leadership of NSS have been in discussion with the University management on how to ease the school fees and accommodation payment hardship experienced by Nigerian Students in EMU for like a week now, the requests presented through the office of the Vice Rector Promotion is contained in the letter below.

UNIVERSITY RESPONSE:

After all our requests, constant pressure and early positive responses, the following final responses were gotten from the school.

1. Students portal can be opened for registration if he/she pays the sum of 1000 dollars irrespective of any debt or free from debt.

2. Normal late registration charges will apply.

3. Registration have been extended for Nigerian Students till 4th March, 2016.

For clarification on this, kindly contact Mutlük/Welfare Directorate.

Best Regards 
NSS-EMU"

**Click on images below for more concerning this update

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This Friday 26th February 2016, all goons will be headed to Lefkosa TRNC for the first ever Student welcome party of the year, ably organized by the African Students Association - Near East University.

The event is being organized in conjunction with NEU International Students Office and will feature the Who is who in the entertainment industry in TRNC. Artists from Nigerian, Africa, Turkey and TRNC will be on hand to celebrate the day and make it an unforgettable one.

More details below:

DATE: FRIDAY / 26.02.2016

VENUE: CLUB BIGBANG LEFKOSA

Time: 10pm

TICKETS: 

Regular: 20TL [FREE for Girls till 1am]

VIP: 50TL

VVIP: 100TL

DJ'S FOR THE NIGHT:

1. DJ Activityz

2. DJ Pharo

3. DJ Gmaiinne

4. DJ Fabulous

PERFORMING/FEATURING:

*FK Weezy

*Iris Arab

*Iyanu Eni

*Darange

*Kevin Tita

*Track Killer

All Road leads to club big bang tomorrow 26th feb. African Student Association welcoming all student Back to school.
Posted by Activityz Val on Wednesday, February 24, 2016

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PRESS RELEASE: NANS TURKISH ZONE DEMANDS SUPPORT FOR NIGERIAN STUDENTS ABROAD FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

"It has come to our attention that more that 80 percent of Nigerian students in Turkish Zone are having difficulties in paying their tuition for the spring semester 2015-2016 academic sessions. Currently, many students are unable to register for the semester.

We would like to use this medium to deliver a message to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal government. It is necessary that our federal government considers the overwhelming impact of education upon the National economic development.

Since educated youth are a key component to Nation building, it is only rational and logical to provide all the means necessary to make it easy and possible to for Nigerian Students overseas at all levels to be able to register. 

After thorough deliberation and discussions with the leadership of NANS Turkish Zone, we concluded that we will do everything in our power to ensure that Nigerian students in all Universities of Turkish Zone are granted a safe passage to register. In an effort to deliver as stated; 

1. We sent letters to all Rectors of each University in North Cyprus, stating the seriousness of the crisis on ground and possible solution to our current situation.

2. We also an sent an official complain letter to Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government through the office of the Special Adviser to President on Youth and students affairs.

We are pleading with Nigerian students in each University in Turkish Zone that are confronted with the same difficulty, to exercise patience and know that the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Turkish Zone is not just folding its arm at this difficult point in time.

We will do everything in our power to ensure that your welfare is secured without any hindrances to your progress."

Thanks

Yours in struggle
Comrade SALIM HAMZA RINGIM 
President NANS Turkish Zone

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CC //  FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION - NIGERIA
      //  ALL CONCERNED UNIVERSITIES IN NANS-TURKISH ZONE

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According to a writer on Ventures Africa - 'Unemployment has long been identified as a ticking time bomb in Nigeria and it is quite worrisome that employers claim Nigerian graduates are unemployable as a result of a lack of required skills for the present day job.' A realistic way out of this national problem is mentorship.

In recent years, most Nigerians graduate with unemployable skills and little to no professional skills required by most corporate organizations for employment. As a result, a large percentage of graduates are unemployed every year and, thereby, continuously adding to the exponential growth of youth unemployment. This is evident from the data presented by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), stating the country’s unemployment rate increased to 9.9 percent in the third quarter of 2015, representing a fourth consecutive rise in these rates since the third quarter of 2014.

Mentors transfer wisdom with regards to ideas, values and morals of the organization and support mentees through counselling and support. They do all of this while providing information which their mentees would, otherwise, not have been able to access. Also, mentors are helpful in shaping the lives of young, less experienced colleagues while guiding them and as well as provide opportunities for growth by identifying situations and events which contribute to enhancing the knowledge and experience of the mentee.

Graduate unemployment in Nigeria can be attributable to the fact that employee education and skills acquired are inadequate to meet the demands of modern day jobs. Sufficient skills can be adopted from the act of mentoring as a good mentor represents both an anchor and a sail.

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In a move that can be rivaled to a Hollywood movie stunt, the final year students of EMU Civil Engineering department has produced a canoe/boat made of concrete that can float on water. This amazing feat was designed in the laboratories of the Civil Engineering faculty of Eastern Mediterranean University, EMU by the final year students.

While expressing joy that the project worked as they envisaged, the members of the engineering team pointed out that it was 'a combination of long hours, determination, strong will and a deep sense of purpose'

See some pics below

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and commercial banks have suspended the allocation of forex to pay medical bill abroad and school fees.

The announcement was made recently in Abuja as members of the Bankers’ Committee revealed that forex allocation for medical bills and school fees constituted 15% of foreign exchange demands in the country.

Briefing journalists after a meeting of the committee,  the Director, Banking Supervision, CBN, Mrs. Tokumbo Martins, said banks had resolved that most of the foreign exchange demands would be granted to developing the real sector.

Martins said that although the decision is a painful one, it was one of the sacrifices Nigerians are expected to make for the development of the economy in the long run.

“You know it is something that affects all of us and I think that the watchword is belt-tightening. It is the pain we may need to go through today, short term, so that there will be long term development in the country whether it is infrastructure, manufacturing etc.

Meanwhile, the naira dropped to a new all-time low of N395 on Friday February 19th to a United States dollar in the parallel market as importers scrambled for scarce forex, while some people are reporting as low as N400 per USD by some BDC.

“The dollar is falling because importers need forex to bring in their goods. They cannot keep on folding their arms because there is scarcity; they must keep buying; the only thing is that the quantity may reduce,” a forex dealer told the Punch Newspapers.

“We see the naira falling further in coming days and weeks if the central bank fails to lift the dollar restriction,” the Acting President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators, Aminu Gwadabe, said.

The Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said the CBN should address the forex crisis before it completely goes out of hand.

“Nigerians are perplexed at the endless slide of their currency, which is now trading at N400/$, the lowest point ever.

Sources: The New Telegraph / AllJournalist / Olisa TV

****

UPDATE 1: The CBN has moved in the last 24hrs to refute claims that it has banned forex allocations for school fees and medical bills abroad // Source Learn more »

EMU offers 50 % scholarships for international students at undergraduate programs, except Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine.

Faculty of Pharmacy may offer 25 to 50 % scholarship opportunities on merit basis. However, Faculty of Medicine does not offer any form of scholarship.

50 % tuition fee scholarships are also available for all new international students in master’s programs.

For each PhD program there will be either one 100 % or two 50 % tuition fee scholarships to new international students who hold a minimum Bachelor’s Degree CGPA of 3.00 out of 4.00 or equivalent.

For details please visit http://www.emu.edu.tr/grad or contact with promotion@emu.edu.tr Learn more »

Next on RealTalk Undressed: "What Does Valentine mean to you?" [The Valentine Special Edition]
On the next episode of RealTalk Undressed [S01E04], the topic "What Does Valentine mean to you and How do you celebrate it?" will be discussed...READ MORE Learn more »

Near East University’s next generation mobile application is now available at the Apple Store. Those wishing to get more detailed information regarding the Near East University will be able to download the mobile application to their devices, according to the press info release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University.

The Near East University application provides convenience for both the current students of NEU and future students to be since it provides the opportunity to reach information regarding the NEU whenever and/or wherever needed. The app will offer all sorts of information regarding the NEU within the ease of reach as your mobile device. Furthermore, the current students of Near East University will be able to login and follow up their information online.

How can it be installed?

Near East University next-generation mobile app can be downloaded from Apple Store,free of charge and the application is titled as “Near East University”.

 Credit: NEU Learn more »

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