The Final Sprint Begins- AIESEC International 0910

Content Desciption: Dear All,

Greetings from AIESEC International!

Today is the first official day for the AIESEC International 2009-10 team in our office here in Rotterdam. We have successfully finished transition which has been very smooth and effective. We are very appreciative of all the hard work of the AI 0809 team under Juan’s leadership. As an organization we definitely are standing on the shoulders of giants.

We have already started work with great excitement and a clear understanding of the context of our term. Following are some thoughts that have been with us during transition:

1. Every member, Every Day

Today, AIESEC is undoubtedly growing across all facets and levels of our operations. We are witnessing the kind of growth generations in the past could only dream about and our capacity could increase immensely if we start capitalizing on our greatest strength- membership. If AIESEC has to reach the kind of scale and significance it should, then each member in the organization needs to be engaged. We need to get rid of the illusion that if some parts of the organization is growing then the entire global association is growing. The parts which are growing need to further capitalize on their growth story and those that are yet to see growth need to envision for themselves what it means to explore and realize their potential. As your AI team we are incredibly excited to work with you on this quest.

2. Ambition

AIESEC has survived for 61 years because ambition has been a habit for AIESECers worldwide. As we stand at the brink of finishing our 5 year vision, it is time to take our ambition to the next level. AIESEC is meant for every young person in this world and hence, we cannot hold ourselves back anymore. If we continue doing everything we always did then we will only get what we always got. Ambition in AIESEC is natural and imperative regardless of what your title is.

3. AIESEC 2010

We are progressing rapidly towards the goals and there is no doubt we will reach all of them. However, the elements of the vision are still ambitious and that is the challenge in front of our entire organization. For us to get anywhere close to truly achieving this vision we need “all hands on deck”. AI 0910 is committed to work with the network as we make our final sprint towards the 2010 vision and we look forward to the year ahead.

4. Responsibility

As the generation of AIESECers who will lead the organization to 2010 we have immense responsibility to not only achieve AIESEC 2010 but take the organization to a point where it can dream bigger than it ever has, where it can look deep within and challenge its very core to emerge stronger, bigger and better than it ever has been. And we are fortunate as it has fallen upon us to be this great generation!

AI 0910 team:

I am confident about the abilities, knowledge, experience and commitment of the AIESEC International 2009-10 team. We realize that what lies in front of us is no ordinary task and it will need the very best from us to redefine achievement for AIESEC. We are a total of 18 people (9 men and 9 women) on the team from 14 different nationalities and represent every region of AIESEC. Everyone has been in AIESEC for an average of about 5 years. Essentially, this team is a manifestation of the network, of you, your LC/MC/GN working with you to help you fully explore your unique contribution to AIESEC.

We are here to work with you, to help you lead the change AIESEC needs and most importantly BE the change the world needs today.

In the following days you will receive more information from us through the AI Newsletter as well as the AIESEC International Wiki on MyAIESEC.net.

Please, feel free to get in touch with us.

I look forward to talking to/meeting as many of you as possible. I wish you all the best in your AIESEC journey.

Thank you

Take Care

Aman

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Aman Jain
President
AIESEC International

ASUU Strike: Govt needs to be more proactive, says UNAD VC

Concluding part of our interview with: Prof Dipo Kolawole, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ado Ekiti. He narrates the challenges he is facing, and what he is doing to confront them. The interview was conducted IFEDAYO SAYO. Excerpts:

What efforts are you making to ensure that all courses in the university are accredited?

We have 44 fully accredited programmes, six interim and two denied ones. People don't always understand this. I think what made that so is the fact that our Law programme was denied accreditation and we have written that we want them (National Universities Commission) to come back to examine our Law programme. I went to look at the root cause, the things we didn't have, we want to get them ready before they come.

There is this issue of dearth of academic staff in some courses offered in the university. What are you doing to attract good hands to the university?

Let me say this: the location of our university does not help us in terms of manpower. I must acknowledge that. When I came here in 1983, I knew what I wanted. I thought of developing this place, but not many people feel that way, and that constitutes a problem to us. Our problem areas like Engineering, Law and Management Sciences, we have been doing all we can to attract good hands. For example, as at the time our Law programme was denied accreditation, there was no single person with a Ph.D there. But now, there are two Ph.D holders. Besides, just last week, I approved the appointment of a Reader from the University of Jos and two professors - all the three of them are Ph.D holders, and we are going to get some people from Ife to join.

In the Management Sciences, we have just got somebody with a Ph.D in Business Administration, who is coming to join at the higher level of that department. In Engineering, we have some people that we have brought in to deepen the manpower of that place. So, we are doing all things to attract, recruit, in fact lure people to come here.

Most Vice Chancellors often talk about legacy they intend to leave behind at the end of their tenure. What will yours be?

I want to leave a university that is far, far better than what I met. I'm aware that this university has had two previous vice chancellors who made an impressive impact on the university too. I also want to improve on what they did, therefore, I'm targeting history. History is very important to me. We are going to transform in terms of physical environment, transportation, in terms of human resources, because human resource is very, very important. For instance, we have promoted many of our staff. Those who were felt stagnated before have been moved up and they are now in the higher ranking of the system, contributing to our reform agenda.

Let's talk about the crisis in the university system at the moment. What implication will the agitation by ASUU and other unions have on the university system?

Unless government itself tries to be pro-active, by having a built-in mechanism for resolving some of the issues, the problem will continue. In other words, if there is an increment today, there must be an agreement when the next increment would be, and at what percentage. The system must have its own built-in mechanism. In Britain, you don't hear that, because they want to improve in the university system, they are going on strike before government reacts. In USA, you don't hear that. In France, you don't hear that. Why is it difficult for us to initiate what is good elsewhere? So, these dysfunctional factors, I think is on the part of government to do something about it.

For example, the ongoing crisis began with the 2001 FGN/ASUU agreement. Couldn't the issues have been resolved since that time? Could the various administrations since then have been making mistakes that are not resolving it? Now, you look at the destruction taking place, and then the fire brigade approach. It doesn't even give room for proper planning, it doesn't even give the impression of seriousness and I think these things government needs to do.

I want to believe that, if the crises are resolved, the universities are likely to be better off and be more stable.

But there are fears that, whatever the outcome of the current negotiation turns out to be, in terms of welfare, the state universities may not be able to cope in terms of funding.

Well, I don't want to preempt, but the universities in Nigeria are organic. So, whatever happens to the one at the center will affect others, because the danger is that, if you don't do it at the state level, people would move away. There is a higher level of opportunities elsewhere, coupled and a high level of mobility for those who want to go away. The number of universities is increasing everyday, the private universities are snatching people and therefore, you may have a federal or a state university that does not have any staff to dispense knowledge

So, whatever happens at the center, the state governments would have to go out of their way to look for funds. A university is a capital-intensive enterprise, so you don't embark on it unless you have projected that you can cope with its demands. It's not a child's play. You must looks at its implications

Recently, you were elected the chairman of the Peace and Security Committee of the African Union's ECOSSOC. What is the assignment given to this committee of yours?

Well, the assignment is very simple. ECOSSOC (Economic Socio and Cultural Council) of the African Union has 10 standing committees, one of which is on peace and security. The whole lesson is that, and that is why it's considered the most important, for whatever you want to do, you can only do it under a condition of peace and security, to be able to meet the demands of its people.

At a micro level of our own nation Nigeria, we need peace to be secured and we need security to have peace. Therefore, you can take that at a micro level of the continent. Every country in the African continent needs peace and security. But more importantly, there are some countries in the African continent that are in dire need of peace and security.

And therefore what the EXCOSSOC peace and security would do is to look at these five points and offer professional guidance, and advice for our heads of states on how these problems could be combated. And that is easy for us because we relate to the civil societies, we know what is happening at the grassroots. We do not approach issues as government to government, it must be person to person.

If you look at the African continent, from 1980 to now, there have been 28 flashpoints. And that is why, you find out whether in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and even in Nigeria, you can see problems that need to be looked into. If you look at Nigeria for example, economy now is getting worse because of the problem in the Niger Delta. It seems to me that if the Niger Delta issue is solved, then you can get more secured. Anybody who wants to go to Niger Delta now knows in his or her heart that anything could happen.

So, we look at the problem areas and advise the African leaders. But let me say this to you: one thing that occurs to me, is that some of these problems are products of lack of good governance. If you have good governance, if you are anticipatory and responsive and recapture to the yearnings and demands of the citizenry, you are likely to tie them to your government and once you tie them to your government, then you are likely to have peace and security.

I want to believe that many African countries or African leaders have not engaged in good governance.

AIESEC’s GREEN IMPACT FORUM

AIESEC, in IIT Delhi, hosted an Environment Forum, focusing on green technology, sustainable development and youth participation in the environment sector. The event promoted the understanding of environment-related issues and laid emphasis on the importance of green technology in today’s corporate society and employment avenues for the youth in the environmental sector. Environ was an initiative taken up by the Delhi chapter of AIESEC, the world’s largest youth-run organisation recognised by the UN, to connect leaders from companies and NGOs with the student community to discuss green technology, sustainable energy and opportunities for youth in this sector.

In his opening speech, Apoorv, president of AIESEC Delhi IIT, highlighted the role that AIESEC has been playing in regard to the environment sector. The panel discussion began with GV Subramanium, former director for ministry of environment & forest, speaking about the government policies and how companies can make full use of the exemptions and certain perks that the government provides.

Solar energy is one of the most increasingly used forms of renewable energy. Anil Patni, GM, TATA BP, laid emphasis on how solar energy can be used and employed more by businesses.

Alokananda Chakraborty, senior editor, The Financial Express, highlighted how organisations can market the ‘green’ aspect of business to increase sales and build better brands. She said that alongside the 4 P’s of marketing, Product, Price, Place and Promotion, 2 more can be added when it comes to green marketing, which are People and Planet. The event brought out many ideas and discussions but most importantly, it was able to deliver the message that the biggest threat to our planet is the fact that someone else will save it.

Yar’Adua Urges Concerted Efforts On V20/2020

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua yesterday called for concerted efforts from all Nigerians towards the attainment of the Vision 20/2020 goal, which he said is not a programme for government alone, but for all Nigerians.



The president stated this when he received members of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies (AES), Nigeria , led by its President, Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu, in State House, Presidential Villa.

Represented by the Vice President, Dr Goodluck. Jonathan, Yar'Adua specifically commended the private sector for its commitment towards the Vision 20/2020 goal, through various stakeholders' activities, which he noted, has revealed tremendous commitment from the sector.

"The vision is not for government alone, but for all Nigerians. We all desire a country that we will be proud of; a country we will leave better than the way we met it," he said.

He assured that the present administration is giving the power sector all the attention and seriousness it deserves, with latest initiatives geared towards exploring other energy sources, particularly coal, to boost the hydro and thermal methods currently in use.

"Government has gone quite far in research on the use of coal as an energy source for the country, given its cost effectiveness," the VP stated.

Yar'Adua was optimistic that there would be significant changes in Nigeria in ten years time, and that government would remain consistent in evolving and implementing the right policies.

He observed that if there had been steady investment in the power sector, the nation would have been better off, noting that apart from initial investments in the sector decades ago, there was no major investment until the Obasanjo administration.

Dangote nailed by Yar'aduas daughter

Happiness delayed is happiness denied, and in whatever way the proposal may have originated, whether resulting from "the course of true love" or political calculations, Aisha Yar’adua, the third daughter of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua left the beleaguered billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote facing disappointment after turning down his offer of marriage. But as in everything else about Nigeria’s unscrupulous richest man, now tottering on the brink of bankruptcy, Dangote will not take no for an answer!

It was not immediately clear whether the President influenced his daughter’s decision but observers have been quick to point out that, relations between the two men have been anything but cordial. Yar’adua was said to be still smarting from the snub Dangote gave him in the countdown to the 2007 elections. It is public knowledge that unlike the Obasanjo years during which Dangote had unbridled access to the corridors of power, Yar’adua has, upon taken power, tried to be his own man and attempts by Dangote to warm up to Yar’adua have been met with cold shoulders.

The reasons for the schism between the two men are still not clear, but keen observers are quick to recall that in the build-up to the 2007 elections, Dangote used his financial muscle to arm-twist and shut out Yar’adua’s chosen representative in the election strategy planning committee. By sidelining the President’s eyes and ears in the committee, Dangote wanted to keep Yar’adua in the loop over goings-on in the campaign. Yar’adua didn’t take this kindly.

If Aliko Dangote was a person of good breeding and right feeling, he will need no caution to remember that, once admitted into the heart of the first family as the suitor of a daughter, he will receive one of the greatest possible favors that can be conferred on him, whatever may be his own superiority of social rank or worldly circumstances; and that, therefore, his conduct should be marked by a delicate respect towards the parents of his lady-love. By this means he will propitiate them in his favor, and induce them to regard him as worthy of the uninsured risk Yar’adua will be taking to entrust his daughter to a moral vampire.

Tagged third-point agenda, Aisha`s nuptial race will certainly be an exciting one to watch as there are indications that the list of contenders is getting longer than the list of pretenders. The Yar’adua girls in recent times have simply become the hottest merchandise for most of Nigeria’s opportunistic, treasure-hunting gold-diggers and some wealthy but failed husbands. Little surprise therefore that Aisha Yar`adua, the physically attractive 22-year old President’s daughter has become a major acquisition challenge for Aliko Dangote.

With everything else going down but his libido, Aliko Dangote, whose tendency to flirtation may have given rise to a false hope of Aisha favoring his suit, was emotionally devastated when he was made to understand that within the President’s domestic circles, he was an unwelcome visitor whose probationary suitor status has run its full course. A source close to the Forbes-listed billionaire told Huhuonline.com that Aisha, who is an intimate friend of Aliko’s daughter Halima, sealed Aliko’s fate when she advised him to consult the rules of etiquette saying: "Halima will not forgive me if I marry you."

"Aisha just disposed Dangote like pliable wax with a lightness of demeanor that is humiliatingly scandalous," the source commented, adding that: “when a lady rejects the proposal of a man like Dangote, her behavior should be characterized by the most delicate feeling towards someone who, in offering his hand, has proved his desire to confer upon her, the greatest honor it is in his power to offer. "

No woman of proper feeling would regard her rejection of an offer of marriage from a wealthy man like Dangote as a matter of triumph: her feeling on such an occasion should be one of regretful sympathy with him for the pain she is unavoidably compelled to inflict. At all events, no lady should ever treat a man who has so honored her with the slightest disrespect or frivolous disregard, nor ever unfeelingly parade a more favored suitor before one whom she has refused.

But close sources told Huhuonline.com that Aisha had no love for Aliko Dangote to even at least evince a tender regard for his feelings; and, considered Dangote’s clandestine marriage proposal as presumptuous and intrusive. No right-minded man would desire to persist in a pursuit when he well knows that the object of his admiration has already disposed of her heart.

Aisha’s heart, sources told huhuonline.com, had stood the test of faithfulness and the trial of time with her boyfriend cum oil mogul, Abdurrahman Musa Bashir, whom she introduced as her fiancé to a Huhuonline.com source. Enter Aliko Dangote who saw the prospects of being the President’s in-law as the last line of defence to salvage what remains of his crumbling financial empire. Working behind the scenes, Dangote hatched a dastardly plot to destabilize Bashir by arm-twisting the Managing Director of the bank which financed Bashir’s operations to pull the rug under Bashir’s feet and throw his oil business in jeopardy.

The distraction was enough for Bashir to re-focus all his energies in rescuing his oil business from collapse, leaving the door open for Dangote. But Dangote forgot to learn that a good salesman does not sell his goods by knocking off his competitors; he sells his goods on their merit. With Bashir virtually out of the race, Dangote mistakenly thought that he had made the sale but not closed the deal. Don’t expect much and you won’t be disappointed. Emerging feelers suggest that there are subterranean moves by a certain Governor, with very close ties to the Yar`adua, family, to join the race to marry the President’s daughter.

The desperate quest for power amongst Nigeria`s political elite has made politicians, of northern extraction to fall over themselves in the bid to marry Aisha who has literally become an acquisition challenge and “coveted trophy” for very ambitious vultures seeking political patronage.

It should be recalled that Yar’adua`s first daughter married the Governor of Kebbi state. Since the marriage, life has not been the same for Kebbi state governor and his cronies, as things drastically became better. It was then speculated before the bubble burst, that the incumbent minister of FCT, got his plump job because of the union.

Also, in May 2007, Adamu Aliero, anointed, the present governor of Kebbi state to succeed him. As an act of appreciation, the godfather was elevated to the FCT ministry, after Zainab’s marriage. Impeccable sources confided in huhuonline.com that Adamu Aliero was made minister by Zainab. In the spirit of keeping it in the family, it was Adamu Aliero who told Nigerians that President Umaru Yar`adua will seek a second term in office. That was before the squabble between Aliero and the incumbent Governor of Kebbi state.

Recently, the governor of Bauchi state, Isah Yaguda also married Nafisa, Yar’dua`s second daughter, who has since become a major player in Nigeria’s power circles, though he belonged to the opposition party, he has since crossed to the PDP. However, sources revealed that his young wife Nafisa, like her mom, Turai has keen interest in being first lady. Though she is wife number four, she is clearly a dominating factor in the Yuguda household.

The results of the clandestine marriage proposal proved the step to have been ill-judged, imprudent, and highly injurious to the reputation of one party, and would have, in the long run detrimental to the happiness of both. As the race for Yar’adua’s third daughter, Aisha intensifies, who becomes the eventual ‘Mr. Right’, may not be certain but what is sure is that the polygamist-billionaire, Aliko Dangote is out of the race. This perhaps, may give him enough time to squarely face his losing battle against Chief Femi Otedola.

FG Releases N67bn For Power Projects

LAGOS – Buoyed by the need to actualise the 6,000 megawatts of power supply in the country promised by President Umaru Yar’Adua, the Federal Government has released N67.48 billion for power projects across the country in the first, second and third quarters of the 2009 budget circle.

The releases are all cash- backed, according to the budget office in the Ministry of Finance.

The President, it was learnt, has directed the Ministry of Finance to accord priority to power projects in the release of capital projects funds.

As a result, the ministry released a total of N43,827,350,704.07 in the first and second quarters while in the third quarter a total of N23,656,052,503 has been released to be paid contractors handling the projects

The Minister of Finance Dr. Mansur Muhtar, had stated that there were a lot of public expectations from government on the Power Sector towards meeting the targeted 6,000MW by the end of this year.

He said it was on account of this that the sector was given priority in the allocation of resources in the 2009 budget.

The Minister spoke at a meeting between members of the Budget Implementation Committee and the Chief Operating Officers of the various Generation, (GENCOS), Transmission (TRANSCOS) and Distribution (DISCOS) companies within the Power Holding Company (PHCN).

Muhtar stated that, “monitoring of capital projects would be a continuous process, especially at the ministerial level and Power remains one of the critical sectors needed to deliver on the promises made by the present administration.

To ensure the proper utilisation of the funds released so far, the Government has set up an inter-ministerial budget monitoring committee to ensure the speedy completion of all the ongoing power projects in the country.

The Committee, which has since started work, is chaired by Muhtar and has undertaken fact-finding mission to assess challenges and impediments to the successful execution of key capital projects in the 2009 budget, especially those relating to power generation, transmission and distribution. Other members of the committee include the Minister of Power, Mr. Lanre Babalola, FCT Minister, Senator Adamu Aliero.

FG & ASUU HOLDS EMERGENCY MEETING TODAY

THE Federal Government has set machinery in motion to return the striking university lecturers to classes, as Ministry of Labour will, today, hold an emmergency meeting with the representatives of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to finalise talks on point of their grievances.

The ministry had, on Tuesday, placed emergency calls to the ASUU leaders for the meeting to be headed by the Minister of Labour, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), who would not attend the Federal Executive Council meeting at the presidential villa(today) in order to attend to the ASUU delegates.

Adetokunbo made this known in Abuja as he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Labour, disclosing that the Federal Government had no problem meeting the demands of ASUU, having graciously conceeded to the lecturers’ demands.

He said the government had been good to the lecturers by agreeing to grant total autonomy to the Nigerian universities, accepting that lecturers should retire at age 70, fund the universities as well as increase the salaries of ASUU members as contained in their four-point demands.

The labour minister said it was ASUU that was playing hard to get by rejecting the 40 per cent increase in the salaries of lecturers while the union stuck to 109 per cent increase

The minister told the House of Representatives members that the government bowed to the demand by ASUU for salary increase by offering a 40 per cent lift, disclosing that while the Federal Government would pay as much as N105 billion to off-set the lecturers’ salaries, ASUU was insisting on taking nothing less than N175 billion.

Graduates 'should try leaving UK'

The government is urging graduates to consider a spell working abroad, whether in internships or volunteering, to avoid the worst of the recession.
The advice is backed by the National Union of Students and is being handed out on leaflets at universities over the next couple of weeks.
Recent figures suggest there will be a 5% drop in jobs for new graduates this summer, compared to last year.
But Universities Minister David Lammy said internships can lead to a UK job.
Mr Lammy told the BBC: "If you get an internship, you are with a company acquiring skills that are attractive on a CV - and indeed, the company that you do it with might take you on.
"Then beyond that, it's right to say that we live in a global market place, opportunities abroad can add to your skills and sometimes your language skills.
"And volunteering is always something that's attractive to employers."

BREAKFAST WITH AIESEC ABUJA Young EntrepreneurshipS (YES)

TO: Esteemed Nigeria Students

Wish to introduce the YES Program which seeks to address the issues of "Poverty and Employment among Africa Young People through Peer-Education on Entrepreneurship".

Host: AIESEC ABUJA
Type: Education - Study Group
Network: Global
Date: Friday, June 26, 2009
Time: 9:00am - 2:00pm
Location: Youth Aid Organization For Africa, Opposite National Assembly Quarters (Top Floor)
Street: Savannah Chum Chum Building
Phone: 07034864788
Email: olumide.idowu@aiesec.net

You Must Be There!!!