YOUTH MIGRATION: AFRICA IN FOCUS

The instinct for survival and the quest for sustenance are running fundamentals of human existence. They propel the human mind towards aiming and achieving, confronting and conquering, hence, when the mind feels hopeless and helpless in a certain geographical space over a period of time, there is always the consideration of changing his or her location to a more perceived greener pasture. This process is called migration.

Migration has been defined as the movement of persons across borders with the intention of establishing permanent residence. Today, movement of persons across borders of the world is a regular daily occurrence.

Monday 12^th of August was this year’s International Youth Day, with the theme: ”Youth Migration: Moving Development Forward”.

“Of the annual total of some 214 million international migrants, young people constitute more than 10 per cent, yet too little is known about their struggles and experiences” United Nations, Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.

In recent time, majority of migrants – legal or illegal from Africa are youths who obviously are in search of better earnings and value to life and are sometimes responsible for remittances to Africa which in turn is used to develop the individual’s family, community and nation as a whole.

With over 200million youth population, African nations have a huge task ahead of them given the revelation that by 2040, half of the world’s youth population would be Africans. Noting the prevailing socio-economic deficits in the continent, migration either legal or illegal will definitely be unavoidable.

Research has revealed that about 30 million Africans live outside the continent and the number continues to grow daily. This has led to an acute shortage of skills on the continent which in turn has resulted in a huge strain on African nations.

In Africa, young people migrate to either Europe or America for countless reasons, which include the quest for better education and certification, higher wage and income earnings,  better living conditions and quality of life that the current infrastructure in their local environment (country) fail to provide or provide same insufficiently.

Indeed, the reality of wide-spread poverty and constant socio-economic as well as political instability in most African countries is a motivating factor for youth migration.

Often time, young Africans migrate under the delusion that life is always better and rosier abroad and some believe that money can be picked up on the streets in the United States or Europe. Unfortunately, these deluded migrants are disappointed when they dispose off their meagre belongings back home and arrive at their destinations only to be faced with the reality of “No food for a lazy soul”.

The consequent challenges of youth migration, are extensive and far-reaching on both the live and livelihood of youth migrants, his families and perhaps his community and country. Topmost of these challenges is the discrimination against the youth migrant by the host community either base on racial, religious, gender, language differences or simply because they are foreigners and the locals may be Xenophobic (as is mostly the case in Europe and Southern America).

Furthermore, a high rate of youth migration leads to scarcity of skilled workers thus affecting the quality of the nation’s work force and of course the level of development that takes place within a certain period.

Apparently, skilled migration is largely a symptom and not a cause of underdevelopment. This is because there is a distinction between countries that export skilled labour from a large pool of supply, and those which are losing high proportions of scarce and critical human resources to migration. In the case of Africa, the latter is often the case.

However, migration if critically and developmentally approached can advance the economic status of both developing and developed nations. Countries need to identify and enable migration and development policies that support human resource development, rather than simply restricting mobility.

Since poverty – either psychological or physical is the underlying factor for massive youth migration, strong measures should be taken particularly by the government to tackle youth unemployment and restiveness, poor educational system, unjustified income disparity, unsecured livelihood and future.

Technology affords humanity the privilege to explore and engage hitherto unimaginable frontiers. African nations should deploy modern technological tools to develop their states, reverse the brain drain chant to brain gain, provide decent jobs for the bulging youth population, connect with citizens who are doing well abroad and advance the livelihood of citizens.

Youths are the greatest resource of this continent, Africa.

Elegbede Tayo JET, is a Nigerian freelance journalist and mediapreneur with local and international organisations.

Ban Ki-moon on 2013 International Youth Day

This year's observance of International Youth Day focuses on the issue of youth migration.

Of the annual total of some 214 million international migrants, young people constitute more than 10 per cent, yet too little is known about their struggles and experiences.

The reasons young people migrate are many. Some are fleeing persecution, others are escaping economic hardship.

Some are alone, others part of a family – with parents, siblings and even children of their own.

Some have communities to go to, others must make new connections. In transit and at their final destinations, many young migrants face equal or greater struggles, including racism, xenophobia, discrimination and human rights violations. Young women, in particular, face the risk of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Poverty, crowded and unsanitary living conditions and the challenges of finding decent employment are regular features of the migrant experience.

These challenges are exacerbated by the current global economic and financial crisis. Migrants are also often accused by communities and politicians of taking jobs from local people, exposing them to further risk of discrimination. In other cases, young people left behind by migrating parents face psychological and social challenges and greater vulnerability.

It is important to emphasize the positive contribution young migrants make to societies of origin, transit and destination – economically and by enriching the social and cultural fabric.

Most work hard to earn a living and improve their circumstances. The remittances they send to support families in their home countries are a major contributor to economies worldwide. When they return home, young migrants often enhance development by applying skills and ideas acquired abroad. And, in many cases, women are empowered through migration as they gain financial and social independence.

In October, the United Nations General Assembly will host the second High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development. I urge Member States to consider youth migration.

Working with and for young people is one of my top priorities. On this International Youth Day, I encourage Member States, youth-led organizations and other stakeholders to act to promote the rights of all young migrants and maximize the development potential of youth migration. 

The Church And The Church

As a religious cum spiritual organization, the Church performs a fundamental role in human and social development. Call it social responsibility or shared value, you might not be incorrect.

At the core of this reality lays the quest to first, fulfill its heavenly mandate of nurturing souls with truth whilst preparing them for the rapture(heaven) as well as strengthening and sustaining minds for a better society.

Suffice to say, the church is a representative of GOD here on earth. However, one is left to wonder if the myriad of humanly outlined religious laws truly reflect the nature,notion and instructions of God. (By laws, I do not refer to the rules and regulations of the church as an organisation).

Arguably, the church has deviated from its paramount functionality of promoting God's instructions into elevating human rules. It has shifted from the responsibility of connecting men to God into connecting men to men, serving and servicing the body but starving the spirit and soul. Godly-character has been replaced with simply gorgeous charisma and character. The church now passes for a congregation of deceitful doers, home of hypocrites, platform of pretenders and circle of sycophants.

The church has gone worldly and in turn the world has become 'churchy'. Hence, there is a keen contest between the CHURCH OF GOD and the Church of men. 

The church of men prides itself in religious activities other than spiritual exercises. The church of men finds no convenience in exposing the heartbeat of God, but in keeping church-rules. The church men glory in mundane motions and matters. This church is somewhere by your side.

Interestingly, you will still find the CHURCH OF GOD down the road, if you can search.

"That very church which the world likes best is sure to be that which God abhors."― Charles H. Spurgeon

In recent weeks, I have read loads of comments on the wedding ceremony of John Kumuyi, son of the International Holiness Preacher, Pastor W.F Kumuyi.

But here, I will share with you a comment I recently received from one of John's age-long friends, Kenny Oretimehin.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have spent over 20-years in Deeper Life Church and I'm privileged to know this John guy, every boy in the youth-choir with me can bear witness that unlike some other pastor children, John was an epitome of a child of Jesus. John so humble, kind as in no segregation of any sort, John ate with us and times he would stay in the brick hostel with us, sometimes slept overnight.

If disobeying some church rules is a sin then I think all Deeper Life members are sinners! The TV was apoti esu (devil's box) and now all Deeper Life churches use flat screens!

I just want my pastor WF Kumuyi to beware of the pastor sycophants around him!!! The same way they moved him to curse the youthchoir in the congress of 2002 leading to the permanent ban of the so holy committed and prestigious youth-choir lead by Dr Oikelomen (Bro Albert).

If the choir is alive today I'm sure this wedding wouldn't cause issues because it would be a progressive church activity with great celebrations!!!

I grew up in a church choir where the color of your tie is a sin, the wrist watches and belts were always sins, the bright colored shirts and gowns/blouses were issues! Abah!!! Why should John's apology letter be read by babas in the church? We were not told of his wedding!!! We don't even know anything about him!! The apology is a word of expressions from the offending to the offended. Why should he apologies to me that he didn't offend? Besides the letter should be read by himself not by this pastors to show a level of godly sincerity and repentance!!!

Please Pastor kumuyi should remember his wife mama rere Sister Abiodun, she wouldn't want her son's wedding to cause headaches! Pastor should be so careful with the people around him!!! 

They didn't read the apology letters of their own children that didn't even wed in the lord "at all at all" They are not of Rome that of Rome!!! On my wall on Facebook I wrote about pastor Kumuyi's reply to a question on ancient landmark and I remember he rebuked the asking, pastor WF stated that those church rules can't stop your wedding as long as u invite Jesus 2 your wedding, Jesus will turn your water 2 wine!!!

This is to my comrade, brother and friend, John kumuyi. God bless you and your marriage. I love you, and I am happy to tell you that you didn't offend me!

God bless you, your wife your home!" ~Kenny.

Conclusively, the Church as a gathering of (un)gathered people, must not loose sight of its primary responsibility of promoting cordial relationship between God and man, even in the face of its expanding secondary responsibilities.

TAYO ELEGBEDE JET
JET

The CHURCH And The Church

As a religious cum spiritual organization, the Church performs a fundamental role in human and social development. Call it social responsibility or shared value, you might not be incorrect.

At the core of this reality lays the quest to first, fulfill its heavenly mandate of nurturing souls with truth whilst preparing them for the rapture(heaven) as well as strengthening and sustaining minds for a better society.

Suffice to say, the church is a representative of GOD here on earth. However, one is left to wonder if the myriad of humanly outlined religious laws truly reflect the nature,notion and instructions of God. (By laws, I do not refer to the rules and regulations of the church as an organisation).

Arguably, the church has deviated from its paramount functionality of promoting God's instructions into elevating human rules. It has shifted from the responsibility of connecting men to God into connecting men to men, serving and servicing the body but starving the spriit and soul. Godly-character has been replaced with simply gorgeous charisma and character. The church now passes for a congregation of deceitful doers, home of hypocrites, platform of pretenders and circle of sycophants.

The church has gone worldly and in turn the world has become 'churchy'. Hence, there is a keen contest between the CHURCH OF GOD and the Church of men.

The church of men prides itself in religious activities other than spiritual exercises. The church of men finds no convenience in exposing the heartbeat of God, but in keeping church-rules. The church men glory in mundane motions and matters. This church is somewhere by your side.

Interestingly, you will still find the CHURCH OF GOD down the road, if you can search.

"That very church which the world likes best is sure to be that which God abhors."― Charles H. Spurgeon

In recent weeks, I have read loads of comments on the wedding ceremony of John Kumuyi, son of the International Holiness Preacher, Pastor W.F Kumuyi.
But here, I will share with you a comment I recently received from one of John's age-long friends.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have spent over 20-years in Deeper Life Church and I'm privileged to know this John guy, every boy in the youth-choir with me can bear witness that unlike some other pastor children, John was an epitome of a child of Jesus. John so humble, kind as in no segregation of any sort, John ate with us and times he would stay in the brick hostel with us, sometimes slept overnight.

If disobeying some church rules is a sin then I think all DeeperLife members are sinners! The TV was apoti esu (devil's box) and now all deeperlife churches use flat screens!

I just want my pastor WF Kumuyi to beware of the pastor sycophants around him!!! The same way they moved him to curse the youthchoir in the congress of 2002 leading to the permanent ban of the so holy committed and prestigious youth-choir lead by Dr Oikelomen (Bro Albert).

If the choir is alive today I'm sure this wedding wouldn't cause issues because it would be a progressive church activity with great celebrations!!!

I grew up in a church choir where the color of your tie is a sin, the wrist watches and belts were always sins, the bright colored shirts and gowns/blouses were issues! Abah!!! Why should John's apology letter be read by babas in the church? We were not told of his wedding!!! We don't even know anything about him!! The apology is a word of expressions from the offending to the offended. Why should he apologise to me that he didn't offend? Besides the letter should be read by himself not by this pastors to show a level of godly sincerity and repentance!!!

Please Pastor kumuyi should remember his wife mama rere Sister Abiodun, she wouldn't want her son's wedding to cause headaches! Pastor should be soooo careful with the people around him!!!

They didn't read the apology letters of their own children that didn't even wed in the lord "at all at all" They are not of Rome that of Rome!!! On my wall on facebook I wrote about pastor Kumuyi's reply to a question on ancient landmark and I remember he rebuked the asking, pastor WF stated that those church rules can't stop ur wedding as long as u invite Jesus 2 ur wedding, Jesus will turn ur water 2 wine!!!

This is to my comrade, brother and friend, John kumuyi. God bless you and your marriage. I love you, and I am happy to tell you that you didn't offend me!

God bless you, your wife your home! ~Kenny".

Conclusively, the Church as a gathering of (un)gathered people, must not loose sight of its primary responsibility of promoting cordial relationship between God and man, even in the face of its expanding secondary responsibilities.

TAYO ELEGBEDE JET
JET

Nigerians Are Malnourished-FG

Tayo Elegbede

Majority of the Nigerian populace have been described as malnourished, with the Northern part of the country leading in this demography.

The Head, Nutrition Department, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Chris Isokpunwu  disclosed this while delivering a keynote address at the on-going Second Shared Value Media (CSV) Workshop organised by Nestle Nigeria Plc in Lagos.

Cross-section of workshop participants

According to Isokpunwu it is really unfortunate that despite the fact that most of the food being consumed in Nigeria are being produced in from northern Nigeria, yet the region has highest number of malnourished children in the country.

"The FAO has said that there is enough food that can feed the seven billion world population, yet over one billion people are still suffering from malnutrition. In Nigeria, most of the food we consume are produced from the northern part of the country, yet the region has highest number of malnourished children under the age of five. For instance, the South-western Nigeria has 38 percent case of malnutrition while the North-West has 53 percent," Isokpunwu said.

Malnutrition Map Of Nigeria By The Ministry of Health

The Nutrition expert also added that about 41 percent of Nigerian children under the age of five are suffering from stunted growth, 14 percent suffer from wasting while 23 percent are suffering from underweight. He added that the problem of malnutrition has been less noticed because when doctors write their post-death reports, they hardly attribute it to malnutrition.

"When doctors write their reports after a child's death they fail to attribute it to malnutrition but will only indicate missiles, malaria, pneumonia as sources of death. This continues to undermine the ravaging effect of malnutrition which often gives birth to some of these stories," Isokpunwu said.

This year's Nestle Creating Shared Value Media Workshop is a 2-Day event with over 100 Journalists exploring the theme "Nutrition, Water and Rural Development".

--

Tayo Elegbede is a Freelance Journalist with Local and International News Firms