MICROSOFT EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAMME

PREAMBLE

It is a general phenomenon within this part of the world that there is a wide gap between what was being learnt and what is expected of 'fresh' graduates by prospective employers. Bridging this gap is the platform through which Microsoft Employability Programme (MEP) tries to achieve. It is funded by Microsoft and the United States Government with the supports of International Youth Foundation and LEAP Africa.

Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability and Professionalism (LEAP) Africa is a non-profit organization that deals with leadership programmes for business owners, social entrepreneurs and youth. The organization, based in Lagos State of Nigeria, has organized such programmes in Lagos, Aba, Abuja, Bauchi, Kano, Calabar, etc. This year's programme was held at Ultrafit Hotel, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. LEAP Africa serves as an instrument through which the intended objectives of MEP are being impacted on the targeted audiences, such as graduates, undergraduates, holders of certificates from any Nigerian institutions or certificate issuing colleges.

According to the training manual, the objectives of MEP are to:
(i) Prepare youth for the work place by equipping them with life and employability skills;
(ii) Provide youth with crucial work based experiences with a youth-development approach;
(iii) Provide youth with an employment experience that puts them in touch with real life labour expectations.

These objectives were packed into five modules and each module was loaded with inspiring, empowering and equipping tips on sustainable job placements. These messages were delivered from 8th - 12th of June, 2009. The facilitators whom are staff of LEAP Africa were Mr. Oje Olaolu Ivagba (Programme Coordinator) and Mr. Olaolu Matty (Assistant Programme Coordinator).


DAY ONE

At the commencement of the day, a baseline survey was given to each one of the participants to fill-in accordingly. The survey was divided into four sections. Section A: Demographic information; Section B: Educational & employment information; Section C: Skills information; and Section D: Contact details of next of kin. Thereafter, the programme kicked off and Schedule of Activities for the day was followed to the later. Topics discussed include:
1) Welcome and Introduction.
2) Labour Trends
3) Factors affecting Work-place Potentials
4) Identifying and Assessing Work-place Potentials
5) Holland's Career Assessment
6) Curriculum Vitae and Covering Letter
7) Review of Day One and Homework.


DAY 2

The sessions started at around 7:32a.m and the following
topics were covered:
1. Review of Day One and Homework.
2. Self Awareness (Giving and Receiving Feedback)
3. Personal Grooming & Etiquettes
4. Moral Ethics
5. Review of Day Two and Homework.

The session ended around 5:00p.m. The homework question was: Write out clearly the things you want to accomplish in your career in the next ten (10)
years.


DAY 3

As usual, the sessions started at 7:30a.m and the
following topics were looked into:
1. Review of Day Two and Homework
2. Building Self-Confidence and a positive Self Image
3. Mission and Vision Statement
4. Goal Setting
5. Understanding and Managing Strong Emotions
6. Managing Conflicts
7. Review of Day Three and Homework.

The sessions ended at 5:05p.m. The homework question was: How do you spend your time on a typical day? Make a list of the activities that take up your time and the number of hours that you spend on the activities.


DAY 4

The sessions started at 7:30a.m and the following topics were looked into:
1. Review of Day Three and Homework
2. Stress Management
3. Time Management I
4. Time Management II
5. Negotiations
6. Team Work
7. Broken Squares
8. Review of Day Four and Homework.

The session ended at 5:45p.m. The homework question was: Draft a typical cover letter
to an organization applying for a job. Likewise, make an ideal CV and attach to it.


DAY 5

The sessions started at 7:35a.m and the following topics were discussed:
1. Review of Day Four and Homework
2. Communications I
3. Communications II
4. Creativity
5. Networking
6. Review of final recap.

The sessions ended at 4:40p.m .Thereafter, we went for group photographs outside the hall.


REMARKS

Right before attending the just concluded Employability Programme, I was not un-aware of my potentials and passions to positively impact my generation. To be sincere, the 5-day programme has inspired, empowered and equipped me more than before. All sessions were of great importance to me because they all added values to my being. They were practically demonstrated either by case studies or grouping. They taught individual reflections, larger plenary debates and consensus building. The in-session activities included small group divisions and discussions with the aims of learning problem solving techniques, teamwork playing and resourcefulness. My mental consciousness is now fully awakened and my motto: 'YES, I CAN DO IT' has been engraved on my heart. By June 30, 2009, I will have re-written my SMART GOALS towards becoming a vanguard of change.

My immeasurable appreciations to my facilitators for your mentorship and motivational speeches, a million thanks to LEAP Africa for providing an enabling platform and my regards to Microsoft, US Government & IYF for their continuous supports towards taking the trainings to the grassroots.

Thanks and God bless.

INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY CELEBRATION: MY MESSAGE TO THE NIGERIAN CHILDREN

The call for the 'Rights of the Children' started many years ago. After the modification of the idea, the League of Nations General Assembly endorsed it as the World child welfare charter on November 26, 1924, with five principles. On November 20th, 1959, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a much more expanded version as its own declaration through Resolution 1386 Session 14. The proclamation is known as the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, with ten principles in place of the original five. All the world leaders present at the occasion accepted it and by the end of year 2000, 191 countries have ratified the treaty. This day has been agreed to as the universal Children's Day.

Annually, the events to mark the observance of the day are celebrated in many countries around the world. For instance, the commemorative public holiday for the day's celebration in some countries are: Argentina- 2nd Sunday of August; Australia- 1st Sunday of July; Brazil- October 12; Canada- November 20; Central Africa- December 25; Chile- 2nd Sunday of August; China- June 1; Hong Kong & China- April 4; Columbia- last weekend of April; Hungary- 1st Monday of October; India- November 14; Israel- October 19; Malaysia- last Saturday of October; Mexico- April 30; Nigeria- May 27; etc.

The day reminds each and every one of us to renew our commitments to the welfare of Children and teach them to live by their quality and dream. It also reminds the government, in particular, of their duties to protect the fundamental rights of all Children to access food, health, education, safe water and other essential services. Within the context of Nigeria, this clarion call to the government is supported by the Chapter two of the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria.

On behalf of the peace loving youth of the Osun Central Senatorial District of Nigeria, upon whom I'm standing proxy at the floor of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, I'm extending my solidarity and felicitations to the leadership and honourable members of the Nigerian Children Parliament, both at home and in diaspora, on the occasion of this year's Nigeria's International Children's Day Celebration. Yes, guaranteeing children's basic needs and protection from abuse and exploitation are central to achieving the development goals: MDGs, NEPAD and NEEDS.

May The Lord grant our leaders, on the thrones of governance, listening ears to the yawnings and aspirations of the Nigerian Children. Once again, CONGRATULATIONS.

Long Live the Nigerian Children,
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed: Hon. Isiaka Olamilekan Popoola,
Member Representing Osun Central Senatorial District,
The Nigerian Youth Parliament, Nigeria.

POPOOLA ISIAKA OLAMILEKAN, BUT WHO IS HE???

Popoola Isiaka Olamilekan is from Osogbo, the capital city of Osun State in Nigeria. He is known to be gentle, intellectual, focus and result-oriented in his dealings.

As an in-born leader, he started holding leadership positions at his early age, right at his primary school, when he was appointed as the Health Prefect. During his secondary school days, he held positions as: the Time Keeper at year three and the Laboratory Prefect at his final year. Between 2001 and 2003, he attended the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria, and obtained a National Diploma in Electrical & Electronics Engineering. At the institution, his colleagues elected him in 2001 as an honourable representing his department at the Students' Union Representatives Council (SURC), a legislative arm of the Students' Union Government (SUG). Through the platform, he represented the institution from 2001 to 2002 at the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) where he assisted in Zone D students' mobilizations.

As an alumnus of the prestigious Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, he studied Mining Engineering and graduated with a B.Eng (Hons.) in 2008. During his days at the university, he served at his departmental association as the Secretary (2007) and Chairman (2008), both to the Electoral Committe. His enthusiasm for SERVICE TO HUMANITY made him to join a students' association known as Junior Chambers International (JCI), FUTA LOM, in 2007. He served there as a committee member of General Legal Council. His foundation knowledges in Electrical & Electronics Engineering and quest for technical know-hows in ICT sector encouraged him to practically learn Computer Repair & Maintenance, AUTOCAD and Down-To-Home Digital Satellite Television Dish Installation, while as an undergraduate. Apart from certifications & self-confidence in those fields, he is also engaged in them, up to this moment, as means of supports to his livelihood.

In August 2008, he was privileged to be nominated, screened and confirmed as the pioneer honourable member representing the youth of Osun Central Senatorial District of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the Nigerian Youth Parliament, the position he is holding up to this moment. At the level of the South- West caucus in the parliament, he was appointed as the Chairman, Ad-Hoc Committee on Reconcilliation.

On social developments, he is an on-line member of development groups such as: Shoes for Liberians, Dream Big, African Union Youth Volunteer Corps (AUYVC), Global Help Initiatives for Palestine, Global Success Team, British Council Nigeria, Nigerian Electricity & Gas Improvement Project- NEGIP Network, Personal Development & Mentoring Club, Grace2Support Initiative, Students in Distress Resque Foundation (STUDREF), Personal Development, Let's Talk Youth, Landmark Network, Entrepreneur Network, Arise Africa... He also belongs to social networking media including: Skype, Facebook, Blogspot, TIG, Twitter, Flickr, Youtube etc. His passion for youth developments and empowerments has led him to start working assidoussly on a comprehensive and vision-driving framework to flag-off an organization on Students' Empowerment Initiative.

Currently, he is undergoing a national service under the Nigeria's National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. Through the scheme, he is a full-time volunteer to the Millennium Development Goals Awareness Creation (MAC). This is a World Bank, British Council and NYSC collaborative Project. MAC serves as a Community Development Service (CDS) Group under the scheme and he is a member of the Group's Editorial Team.

Popoola Isiaka Olamilekan loves debating, brainstorming, skill building, advocacy, volunteering, helping the needy, researching, reading, writing, travelling, relationship, networking and friendship. His dream is to be a vanguard of change, at all levels, and to contribute his skills and strengths towards achieving a sustainable human development.